Phnom Penh (FN), Sep. 5 – In August 2024, approximately 13,000 individuals participated in a series of impactful dissemination events organized by the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC). These events emphasized Cambodia’s commitment to acknowledging and learning from its tragic history.
Held across various platforms and locations, the activities highlighted the tribunal’s ongoing influence and the collective desire for justice, reconciliation, and remembrance.
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 Program: 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 Center: 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 programs demonstrated the Cambodian public’s deep engagement in understanding and addressing their history.
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," said Tony.
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. It also emphasizes the role of collective efforts in healing and moving forward from a painful past, Tony added.
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 vital 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.
=FRESH NEWS
