Khmer Rouge leaders say sorry for atrocities

Former Cambodian head of state Khieu Samphan apologises directly to individuals who lost relatives in 1975-79 genocide

guardian.co.uk, Friday 31 May 2013

Khieu Samphan at the genocide tribunal in 2011. Photograph: AP

Former leaders of Cambodia's Khmer Rouge being tried by a UN-backed genocide tribunal have apologised to families of victims of the regime's atrocities.

Khieu Samphan, the head of state of the 1970s communist regime, and Nuon Chea, the group's main ideologist, were responding directly on Thursday to people who had testified about how they lost family members to Khmer Rouge brutality.

"I feel extremely sorry for the disappearance and extremely brutal killing of your father," Khieu Samphan told Yim Roum Doul. But he said he did not know at the time about "the atrocities committed by the military commanders and leaders".

"I did not know the great suffering of our people," he said. The perpetrators "must be brought to justice".

He said he joined the Khmer Rouge with the "determination to protect our country and to develop our country".

"But unfortunately it turned out to be a complete disaster," he said, describing those responsible as "the most stupid persons on earth".

About 1.7 million people are believed to have died from forced labour, starvation and executions under the Khmer Rouge between 1975 and 1979.

Both men have issued expressions of regret before for the killings, but have denied legal responsibility and insisted they served with the best interests of their country and its people in mind.

The two men are charged with crimes against humanity, genocide, religious persecution, homicide and torture, though their current trial focuses on the forced evacuation of Phnom Penh, the capital, when the Khmer Rouge took power in 1975.

In testimony earlier this week, Khieu Samphan pointed the finger at other parties who he believed contributed to the Cambodian genocide.

He referred to American bombing during Cambodia's 1970-75 civil war, which some have suggested helped to radicalise Cambodian society. He also reminded people that Cambodia's prime minister, Hun Sen, served with the Khmer Rouge before defecting in 1977. He said Hun Sen should be considered more responsible than he was, because as a junior commander he would have been more aware of what was going on.

Nuon Chea told the court on Thursday he took "responsibility morally" for what occurred under the Khmer Rouge.

"I feel remorseful for the crimes that were committed intentionally or unintentionally and whether or not I had known about it or not known about it," he said.

Like Khieu Samphan, he offered condolences.

Nuon Chea, who testified from his cell by video because of poor health, has spoken of his regrets previously, in the 2010 documentary film Enemies of the people.

"I have always said I made mistakes," he said then. "I am regretful and I have remorse. I am sorry for our regime. I am sorry."

But he was also clear the Khmer Rouge leaders had seen their primary duty as safeguarding the revolution and said suspected traitors were killed because they "were enemies of the people".

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Khmer Rouge leader Nuon Chea expresses 'remorse'