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Documentation Center of Cambodia
Document No. 16147 (pp.
137-138)
THE AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL REPORT 1975-1976
DEMOCRATIC KAMPUCHEA (CAMBODIA)
One year after troops from the National
United Front of Cambodia (FUNK) entered the capital Phnom Penh on 17 April 1975,
it remains hard to assess the human rights situation in Cambodia in the absence
of the independence inquiries. Information comes from two main sources: refugees
now
in Thailand and the official Phnom Penh radio. During the 12 months that
elapsed since the Royal Government of National Union Khmer (GRUNK, now called
government of Democratic Kampuchea) came to power, an increasing number of
reports from refugees have been publicized in the international press. They
allege widespread execution.
Earlier reports concerned seven leaders of
the former Lon Nol government, termed "super-traitors" and condemned to death by
the Second National Congress of the Cambodian People in February 1975. Four of
the seven had fled the country before the liberation army entered Phnom Penh. In
November 1975, Deputy Premier Yeng Sary confirmed during a visit to Bangkok that
three leaders of the former regime had been executed. They were former Premier
Long Boret, Prince Sisowath Sirik Matak and Lon Non, brother of former President
Lon Nol. Later in November, the Cambodian Head of State, Prince Norodom
Sihanouk, stated in an interview that "no one had been executed in Cambodia
after the communist take-over except several of the seven 'super-traitors' who
fell into their hands".
New allegations of large scale executions
were made at the beginning of 1976 by refugees arriving in Thailand. A number of
these testimonies seem to be based on the belief, rather than evidence, that
people who disappear from a village or other place of work have been taken away
by the army to be executed. Few refugees seem to have actually witnessed
executions. However, some accounts cite eye-witness reports. According to a
report in the British newspaper The Guardian on 9 February 1976, a
refugee from Battambang province named Soum Heap stated that during the summer
of 1975, he and other people from his village witnessed the execution of
soldiers from the former Lon Nol army, allegedly beaten to death by Khmer Rouge
guards at Arak Bak Kor (Battambang province). Another press report (Le
Monde, 17-18 February 1976) stated that new executions took place in January
1976. It mentioned in particular a textile factory in Battambang where 27
workers were executed. However, neither the source nor details are given
clearly.
On 18 February 1976, Amnesty International
wrote to Cambodian Prime Minister Penn Nouth, expressing deep concern at these
reports and urging GRUNK to make enquiries into a number of allegations. In the
letter, AI reaffirmed its opposition to the death penalty as it had previously
stated in a cable to GRUNK on 16 May 1975.
The letter also referred to the Constitution
of Democratic Kampuchea which came into effect on 5 January 1976. Noting that
article 20 of the new constitution introduced a clause forbidding "reactionary
religions", AI requested details and inquired about the policy adopted by the
Cambodian government vis-à-vis ministers from various religions in
Cambodia.
In April 1976 Prince Sihanouk resigned as head of state. A new government
was formed, and Khieu Samphan, formerly deputy premier, was elected president of
the new state presidium. On 11 May 1976, AI appealed to President Khieu Samphan
to make inquiries into allegations of executions. At the time of writing (end of
May 1976) no response has yet been received from the government.
The Research Department is now attempting to assess the scope of the
allegations made by refugees as they relate to human rights.
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