Reply #38: On Memorial Day, Cambodians call for swift Khmer Rouge trials

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On Memorial Day, Cambodians call for swift Khmer Rouge trials

Sun May 20, 4:30 AM

CHOEUNG EK, Cambodia (AFP) - More than 1,000 Cambodians gathered at the Khmer Rouge's notorious Choeung Ek killing fields on Sunday and called for the swift trial of the regime's surviving leaders.

Buddhist monks chanted prayers for victims of the brutal regime, as sombre crowds gathered at the execution site to mark "Memorial Day", when the kingdom remembers those killed.

"I want the tribunal to start as soon as possible -- I want to get justice before I die," said 76-year-old Koun Thol, who lost four children under the Khmer Rouge.

The start of a joint UN-Cambodian tribunal has been pushed back to early 2008 after years of delays and wrangling.

But many Cambodians fear it will not be soon enough, and are concerned that ageing Khmer Rouge leaders will die before being brought to justice.

"I am so angry -- will I never forget this brutal regime?" said 68-year-old Thong Thon, who lost 14 relatives during the ultra-Maoist regime.

"The delay should be ended and the trial should begin as soon as possible."

Cambodian judges and international jurists will meet from May 31 to June 13 in the hope of resolving a long-running dispute over rules that has delayed the start of genocide trials.

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