Approximately 13,000 individuals participated in a series of impactful dissemination events organised by the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) August 2024.

These events emphasised Cambodia’s commitment to acknowledging and learning from its tragic history said the ECCC in a press release.

Held across various platforms and locations, the activities highlighted the tribunal’s ongoing influence and the collective desire for justice, reconciliation, and remembrance, it pointed out.

According to the press release, the month’s events were designed to mark significant milestones in the ECCC’s work, raise awareness about its achievements and challenges, and foster a broader understanding of Cambodia’s dark history. They included:

ECCC Mobile Bus Outreach Programme: This initiative brought education about the tribunal’s legacy to over 8,200 students across high schools in Preah Sihanouk province. The mobile bus aimed to inform students about the tribunal’s historical significance and foster
dialogue on justice and reconciliation.

Outreach Study Tours: More than 1,400 participants from various educational institutions joined nine study tours to the ECCC Resource Center, Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, and Win-Win Memorial. These tours provided detailed insights into the tribunal’s proceedings, legal principles, and the historical context of the Khmer Rouge regime. They also helped participants reflect on Cambodia’s journey towards reconciliation and peace.

Educational Activities at the ECCC Resource Centre: High school and university students, as well as professionals, engaged in presentations by ECCC officials, intergenerational dialogues with Khmer Rouge survivors, workshops, and training sessions. These programmes demonstrated the Cambodian public’s deep engagement in understanding and addressing their history.

H.E. Kranh Tony, Secretary of States of the Office of Council Ministers and the Acting Director of ECCC, remarked these activities played a crucial role in educating younger generations
who may not have direct personal connections to the Khmer Rouge period. By integrating historical education into contemporary discussions, the events fostered a sense of collective responsibility and awareness, he added.

‘These dissemination activities underscore the importance of historical memory and justice, and they highlight the tribunal’s achievements in providing accountability and the ongoing need for education and dialogue to prevent future atrocities,” he said.

The success of August’s events reflects a strong public interest in preserving the tribunal’s legacy and continuing the pursuit of justice and reconciliation, continued H.E. Kranh Tony, stressing that it also emphasizes the role of collective efforts in healing and moving forward from a painful past.

The Acting Director noted that in conclusion, the participation of over 13,000 people in these activities illustrates a significant societal commitment to understanding and addressing the legacies of past injustices. These efforts play a vit
al role in ensuring Cambodia’s history is acknowledged, remembered, and learned from, paving the way for a more informed and just future.

Since launching the residual functions in 2023, more than 69,000 participants have engaged in dissemination activities, while over 674,000 people, since 2009, from both local and international communities have taken part in tribunal programs aimed at raising awareness about the senior leaders of the Khmer Rouge regime and Khmer Rouge history.

The Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) was established to prosecute the leaders of the Khmer Rouge regime for crimes committed between 1975 and 1979. The tribunal has completed most of its core functions, including trials and appeals, but it still has residual functions that address ongoing issues related to its work to carry out for an initial period of three years, 2023 to 2025. These residual functions typically include supervising the enforcement of sentences; witness and victim protection; maintenance, prese
rvation and management of the ECCC archives; and dissemination of information to the public as well as monitoring of the enforcement of reparations awarded to Civil Parties as required, among other functions.

Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse