Public Information Room

2004-present

To meet the need for documentation materials at the tribunal and dramatically increase access to our archival holdings, DC-Cam opened its new Public Information Room (PIR) in late April 2004. Access is given to legal personnel (representing both the defense and prosecution), scholars, reporters, and the general public.

The PIR, which is equipped with new computers, chairs and desks, is stocked with Internet services, audio-visual equipment, and a wide variety of primary and secondary documents. It is home to DC-Cam’s Victims of Torture Project; hosted our legal training course, several NGO forums, and visiting student groups in 2004; and will house our Tribunal Response Team. The PIR also functions as a library and educational forum. In its first eight months, the PIR received nearly 1,000 visitors, hosted several guest lectures and in-house training, and screened 4 films on the regime.  (Click here for a list of PIR regulations and a research application.)

In 2004, we met with nearly 400 Cham Muslim leaders (hakem) from all parts of the country, 32 Buddhist nuns, and members of 22 youth and student associations and 200 students (Volunteer) in order to engage them in the tribunal process. These groups represent a variety of religious beliefs and ages. We began planning tribunal-related activities with them, including a peace march organized by the nuns and information dissemination by the students.

To promote memory, DC-Cam and the Khmer Writers’ Association (KWA) hosted an essay competition in 2003. We asked people throughout Cambodia to submit narrative essays on their thoughts on issues related to the Khmer Rouge or their lives during the regime. Of the 43 essays submitted, 4 winners were selected; they were given cash awards and their essays published in the Khmer edition of Searching for the Truth. We announced a second competition in the local media during 2004; the winners will be announced in February 2005.

The PIR is located at 66 Sihanouk Boulevard in Phnom Penh, and is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.