The Duch Verdict

by John D. Ciorciari
— 28 Jul, 2010

On July 26, the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) issued its first verdict in the case against Duch. The tribunal found Duch guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity for atrocities committed at “Office S-21,” the infamous Khmer Rouge prison at Tuol Sleng. The verdict was an important watershed for Cambodia. For the first time, a key Khmer Rouge official has been held accountable in a credible court of law for crimes of the Pol Pot era.

Nevertheless, the verdict immediately attracted substantial criticism from Cambodian survivors, including Foreign Minister Hor Nam Hong. This article briefly discusses two key sources of consternation. First, many victims have complained bitterly that Duch’s punishment was too light. The Trial Chamber sentenced him to 30 years in prison, which amounts to less than 20 years after subtracting time Duch has already served. Second, civil parties—individuals who joined the case to pursue redress for injuries they suffered as a result of Duch’s conduct— were disappointed with the Trial Chamber’s award of reparations. The judges promised only to publish the names of the victims in the verdict and to compile a record of Duch’s statements of confession and contrition…

Cambodia Tribunal Monitor’s Trial Observer posts are written according to the personal observations and opinions of the writer and do not constitute a transcript of ECCC proceedings or the views of Cambodia Tribunal Monitor and/or its partners. Official court transcripts for the ECCC’s hearings may be accessed at the ECCC website.