Former KR Photographer recognizes to victims

Nhem En Nhem En who was one of 6 photographers and chief photographer at the Khmer Rouge’s S-21 torture center in Phnom Penh, recognizes to thousands of the dead and victims in regime on January 25, 2007 at a conference on forgiveness and reconciliation at US Embassy.

According to Nhem En’s biography, He worked for revolution in 1973, he has 8 siblings. He was sent to China and then he was appointed as photographer in Khmer Rouge Regime working with other 5 comrades. He added that some of them were killed and he did not meet others anymore. He photographed many Khmer Rouge leaders and victims from assembly to Tuol Sleng center.

In the conference, Nhem En said that he plans to build museum in Anlong Veng in order to show photos of former Khmer Rouge leaders and victims, which he has kept following the Khmer Rouge regime toppled in 1979. He added that if there are given permission, he will sell photos of former Khmer Rouge leaders to media but he does not sell photos of victims. In the few years, he has made a tidy profit from his revolutionary handiwork by peddling his photographs to reporters and researchers.

Speaking at the conference, US Ambassador Joseh Mussomeli said that “I hope these photographs will always unsettle us and make us uncomfortable. We have all heard the old cliché that a picture is worth a thousand words. Each of these pictures is worth a thousand tears.” The Cambodia Daily reported.

US citizen, he gives comment on KI that: Nhem En did the right thing to confess and apologize but he should not have been given a warm welcoming shaking hand welcome from US Ambassador who represents the entire United States of America. Compared to these scenerio like having someone takes part in taking pictures of torture, or killing or raping. Imazing Mr Ambassador, if this happen was in USA. No one will shake hand with him eventhough he profusely confess or apologize or already served time. In US many priests have been jailed even they were apologized for their past children abuses.

Seng Theary, Center for Social Development Executive Director, was quoted from Koh Samtepheap Daily as saying that Nhem En’s recognition in public is good for us. She added that it is not enough if Nhem En is a senior Khmer Rouge official who is suspicious that he is involved in taking responsibility for killing millions of people and will be charged by judges. Only court makes decision whether he will be guilty or not but we want other former Khmer Rouge leaders also to recognize publicly to what they committed.