Cambodia War Crimes Tribunal Hands Down First Guilty Verdict

More than thirty years after Vietnamese troops ousted the brutal Khmer Rouge regime, millions of Cambodians gathered across the nation to watch as Cambodia’s UN-backed war crimes tribunal handed down its first verdict. Kaing Guek Eav, commonly referred to as Duch, was found guilty of crimes against humanity and grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions of 1949. He has been sentenced to 35 years in prison, but will only serve 19 years because of time already served.
  
Duch, a 67 year-old former math teacher, served as Chairman of the notorious S-21 prison (also known as Tuol Sleng) where he orchestrated the interrogation, torture and execution of supposed “enemies of the revolution” and their families. Though over 16,000 people entered the prison, only 14 are known to have survived. On a single day in 1977 Duch ordered the executions of 160 children.
 
During his six-month long trial Duch pleaded guilty, but argued he had been merely following orders and asked for forgiveness. However during closing arguments the prison chief switched strategies and asked to be acquitted and released.  
 
Reactions to the ruling have been mixed. Prosecutors had asked for a 40 year sentence, and many Cambodians had hoped for life imprisonment. At least one observer left the courtroom in disgust after hearing that a man responsible for thousands of deaths may someday walk free. Others are simply relieved that Duch was found guilty and will be punished for his crimes. Judges for the tribunal stated that mitigating factors, such as Duch’s guilty plea and cooperation with the court, were important considerations during sentencing.  
 
The tribunal’s second case against top Khmer Rouge leaders Ieng Sary, Ieng Thirith, Nuon Chea, and Khieu Samphan is expected to begin sometime next year. In addition to crimes against humanity, the four leaders are also notably charged with genocide. Over 1.7 million Cambodians died of starvation, overwork, torture or execution during the Khmer Rouge’s radical social revolution from 1975-79.
 
For more information about the genocide in Cambodia, please visit our Past Genocides page.