Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Games at Tuol Sleng

Games at Tuol Sleng

www.flickr.com/photos/krtribunal/ " />

Games at Tuol Sleng

Sorry for the inconsistent posting and the recent lack of links and photos. The Post website is still being upgraded and we're trying to sort everything out. However, if you would like to see photos from the most recent days of testimony, you can check out the ECCC's new Flickr page: www.flickr.com/photos/krtribunal/

Former S-21 guard Him Huy finished his testimony Monday, which Comrade Duch agreed was largely accurate except for a few "minimal shortcomings." Most notably, Him claimed he saw Duch at least two times at Choeung Ek although the defendant says he only came to the Killing Fields once.

More glaring discrepancies arose between the testimonies of Him and Tuol Sleng survivor Bou Meng. Bou, who survived S-21 because of his painting skills, said that Him had beaten and tortured him. He even claimed that his torturers had jokingly asked him what kinds of sticks he wanted to be beaten with.

Him, however, insisted that this never happened and claimed he had only mocked Bou's small stature.

He was so small, so we "didn't know how could he have a wife already?" Him said, seemingly oblivious to what Bou had obviously interpreted as cruelty.

To test his strength, Him and other guards made Bou carry a heavy stone, and also insisted he give Him a "piggy-back ride."

Despite repeated questioning, that essentially amounted to asking "how do you think Bou Meng -- a prisoner whose wife was killed at S-21 -- felt about this game?" Him failed to acknowledge any malevolence in his actions.

"I did not intend to do any harm," he said. "I thought it was playful."

Apparently one man's teasing is another man's torture.

While it's still unclear to me how Him genuinely feels about his behavior toward Bou, I thought the incident provided a telling glimpse of life at Tuol Sleng. From all I've read and learned, it seems that the brutality at the detention center was coupled with an insidious immaturity on the part of its staff.

People often speak of the cruelty of children and at S-21, many of those running the prison were young teenagers without fully developed psyches and capacities for empathy. In such circumstances, schoolyard mockery and bullying can be fatal.

Following Him, former Tuol Sleng interrogator Prak Khan appeared before the judges today. His testimony continues tomorrow.

MOST VIEWED

  • Joy as Koh Ker Temple registered by UNESCO

    Cambodia's Koh Ker Temple archaeological site has been officially added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on September 17. The ancient temple, also known as Lingapura or Chok Gargyar, is located in

  • Famed US collector family return artefacts to Cambodia

    In the latest repatriation of ancient artefacts from the US, a total of 33 pieces of Khmer cultural heritage will soon return home, according to the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts. In a September 12 press statement, it said the US Attorney’s Office for the

  • Cambodia set to celebrate Koh Ker UNESCO listing

    To celebrate the inscription of the Koh Ker archaeological site on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the Ministry of Cults and Religion has appealed to pagodas and places of worship to celebrate the achievement by ringing bells, shaking rattles and banging gongs on September 20. Venerable

  • Kampot curfew imposed to curb ‘gang’ violence

    Kampot provincial police have announced measures to contain a recent spike in antisocial behaviour by “unruly’ youth. Officials say the province has been plagued by recent violence among so-called “gang members”, who often fight with weapons such as knives and machetes. Several social observers have

  • Manet touches down in Beijing for high-level meetings

    Prime Minister Hun Manet arrived in Beijing on September 14 for his first official visit to China, where he is slated to attend the 20th China-ASEAN Expo and meet other leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping. Upon his arrival, Manet laid a wreath at the Monument

  • CP denied registration documents by ministry

    The Ministry of Interior will not reissue registration documents to the Candlelight Party (CP). Following a September 21 meeting between ministry secretary of state Bun Honn and CP representatives, the ministry cited the fact that there is no relevant law which would authorise it to do