Khmer Rouge Official Convicted

By Pei Hu
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia – On October 14th, Khem Ngoun, a key Khmer Rouge official,  and four others were convicted of kidnapping and murdering Christopher Howes, a British mine clearing expert for Mines Advisory Group (MAG).

Christopher Howes worked in a mine-clearance operation near the town of Siem Reap, Cambodia, 12 years ago. Ngoun was largely regarded as being responsible for the kidnapping and execution of Howes. The Khmer Rouge ambushed Howes’ team, held 20 miners hostage, and demanded ransom money from Howes and his interpreter, Houn Hourth. Howes refused and was taken back to the main Khmer Rouge camp where Ngoun ordered his execution. The 20 miners were later released or escaped. Howes and Hourth were often seen as heroes, sacrificing their lives for their colleagues.

Ngoun was the right-hand man to the military chief of the Khmer Rouge. After the regime disbanded, many high-ranking officials sought high-ranking posts in military and civilian life. At the time leading up to Ngoun’s arrest he was free of harassment and worked as a military advisor to a general of the Cambodian army.

The Khmer Rouge tribunal has been criticized for being slowing in bring justice to the 1.7 million people that were killed and tortured under the Khmer Rouge regime. However, the director of MAG’s Cambodian office, Rupert Leighton said of conviction of Ngoun, “I think it’s very important for the Cambodian justice system in as much as it’s proof that justice can be done despite lengthy periods between crime and court.” He further added, “I think it’s also a good signal for the [Khmer Rouge] tribunal, and a healthy sign for the justice system in Cambodia.”

For more information, please see:

BBC – Past Catches Up with Khmer Rouge Killer – 14 October 2008

NY Times – Cambodia: 4 Convicted in 1996 Killings – 14 October 2008

The Phnom Penh Post – Verdict due on KRouge’s 1996 slaying of deminer, interpreter – 14 October 2008

Author: Impunity Watch Archive