Documentation Center of Cambodia

 

WITNESSING JUSTICE: DCCAM PUBLIC VILLAGE FORUM

The forum was conducted in Sre Ches commune, Sambo district, Kratie province

 

February 11-13, 2013

 

Text and Photo by: Sovann MAM, Sanas MIN, and Sok-kheang LY

Location: The forum was conducted in Sre Ches commune, Sambo district, Kratie province. Kratie province is one of notable provinces whose administrative governing fell under Northeast Zone during the Khmer Rouge regime. In 1977, Kratie region or Region 505 was newly upgraded to an autonomous region. The Region 505 was plagued by anti-DK group, known as "White Khmer" movement. The movement arguably led by In Tam, former Prime Minister during the Lon Nol's regime. It was operated along the Cambodia-Vietnam border. The movement even spread its activities to run counter to the DK's brutality in Kampong Chhnang province, according to some informants. Its members rose up and fled into mountains to escape crackdown. Because of food scarcity, they returned to villagers only to find themselves executed and family members mistreated. Previously, 104 interviews conducted by the DC-Cam's Promoting Accountability team in Kratie province and also ten grave sites investigated by the mapping team.

 

Funded by Office of Global Programs, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL), U.S. Department of State.