A Witness on Trial

The ECCC’s ability to contribute toward education and reconciliation was apparent today as hundreds of students and adults were welcomed as guests of the court. Before proceedings began, ECCC representatives also took time to explain the basic mechanics of the court to the crowd, so that they might better understand what they were about to witness.

Trial proceedings picked up with more testimony from Him Huy, a former prison guard at S-21 who had been under the command of the accused, Kaing Guek
Eav (alias Duch), during the Khmer Rouge era. Before any questions were asked, the witness was reminded by the court, after a request by the prosecution, that he had the right to refuse answering any questions that were self-incriminating.

The day began with questions from the prosecution focused on daily operations at S- 21. While working at the prison, Him Huy had the key responsibility to assist with the reception and processing of incoming prisoners. When asked where his instructions came from, the witness testified that he took orders directly from his superior, Brother Hor, but that Duch made all of the decisions about who was to be arrested, interrogated, and executed. The witness also gave testimony that seemed to indicate Duch may have helped develop propaganda to fuel support for the Khmer Rouge regime. Regarding the treatment of Vietnamese prisoners, Him Huy testified that he had seen many of these prisoners forced to dress in their soldier uniforms and photographed while standing in the street, and that their confessions from interrogations were publically broadcast on the radio. Much of this testimony proved beneficial to the prosecution, which has sought to portray Duch’s role in the Khmer Rouge regime as an active instigator of war crimes and crimes against humanity…

Read more: ctm_blog_7-20-2009