By Pei Hu

Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

PHNOM PEHN, Cambodia – Kaing Guek Eav, also known as Duch, admitted responsibility for crimes committed during the rule of the Khmer Rouge regime. Duch is accused of crimes against humanity including torture and premeditated murder that lead to 10,000 deaths.

During the short Khmer Rouge regime, 2 million lives were lost due to starvation, being over-worked, and from execution. At the UN-backed tribunal in Cambodia, Duch expressed “regretfulness and heartfelt sorrow” for his actions. Duch told the court, “May I be permitted to apologize to the survivors of the regime, and also the loved ones of those who died brutally during the regime… I ask not that you forgive me now, but hope you will later.”

On Tuesday, prosecutors opened their case against Duch. Co-prosecutor Chea Leang said, “For 30 years, one-and-a-half million victims of the Khmer Rouge have been demanding justice for their suffering… Justice will be done. History demands it.”

Duch, former Tuol Sleng prison ward, is the first key Khmer Rouge leader to be on trial, and four more Khmer Rouge leaders are awaiting trial. Leang said Tuol Sleng prison “formed an integral and indeed vital role in a widespread attack on the population of Cambodia.”

Prosecutors read out gruesome details from the notorious Tuol Sleng prison during the indictment, including medieval methods of torture. “Several witnesses said that prisoners were killed using steel clubs, cart axles, and water pipes.” The indictment also read, “Prisoners were then kicked into the pits, where their handcuffs were removed. Finally the guards either cut open their bellies or their throats.”

Thousands of people have died in Tuol Sleng, which is now a Genocide museum with photographs of the victims lining the wall.

Duch was in charge of interrogations at Tuol Sleng, but “every prisoner who arrived a S-21 [Tuol Sleng] was destined for execution.”

“As a member of the [Khmer Rouge] I recognize responsibility for what happened at Tuol Sleng,” Duch told the tribunal. At 66 years-old, Duch is the only Khmer Rouge defendant to admit his part in the atrocities, but he insisted that he did not hold a senior role in the regime and had no choice but to work at Tuol Sleng, “I was in a life and death situation for myself and my family.”

Duch was discovered in the Cambodian country side by British journalist Nic Dunlop in 1999. Dunlop said it was “surreal” to see Duch in a court room.

For more information, please see:

BBC – Khmer Rouge Leader Admits Crimes– 31 March 2009

Reuters –Khmer Rouge torturer accepts blame for 14,000 deaths– 31 March 2009

Toronto Star – Khmer Rouge torturer apologizes– 1 April 2009