genocide and justice today

I went to the trial of a mass murderer the other day.  I even heard his voice – through earphones projected over a sound system – but nonetheless his voice.  It’s hard to believe looking at him while he sits, small and frail in the defense box, that Duch was the one who gave the execution order for thousands upon thousands of people during his leadership at Tuol Sleng.

I learned something else today:  that the school across the street from my house was not just a torture and execution centre, but was also a burial ground for awhile.  Dozens of bodies were interred there, until the Khmer Rouge became concerned about sanitation and moved the execution grounds out of Phnom Penh to the infamous Killing Fields at Choeung Ek.

As I sat in the gallery of the Court and watched the drama unfold before me, I couldn’t help but wonder what it was accomplishing.  Today, Duch was being questioned about S24, a third Khmer Rouge centre that operated as a labor and re-education camp.  Most people were shuffled from S24 to either Choeung Ek or S21 (Tuol Sleng) for execution.

Slow.  Droning detail.  Question after question.  Digging a little more for a bit more detail.  The word for execution?  Smash.  Duch gave the word, and women, babies, children and men were smashed.

Still, in spite of Duch’s often gory confession, I do wonder what the trials are accomplishing.  It’s taken no less than 30 years for the UN in partnership with the Kingdom of Cambodia to get them started.  The ECCC is outside of Phnom Penh by about 10km in a stunning, state of the art, glossy new compound.  The trials are open to the public, but it’ll take you 40 minutes (and about $10) to get there – making it out of the question for your average Cambodian.  There was a group of Cambodian students at the trials today, which was a glimmer of hope for me.

Still though, only 6 former Khmer Rouge are being tried.  Co-Prosecutor, Pierre Petit (Canadian woohoo!) has resigned from his post for personal reasons.  It is rumored, however, that his ‘personal reasons’ is the lack of justice that under girds the whole trial.  He can identify at least 6 other individuals (all in upper-level positions of the current government) who should be tried but are not.

Plus, it was 30 years ago that all of this happened.  One of my coworkers was planning on coming today but decided against it.  “What will it accomplish,” she told me.  “It is in the past.  We all know what happened and want to move on.”  She thinks the Khmer Rouge secrets will go to the grave with them – exactly where they belong.

Fair enough.  Except I can’t help thinking that Cambodia’s battle with history isn’t over.  Because the secrets it holds from the Khmer Rouge era are feeding a current generation of leaders with the idea that you can get away with murder.  In Cambodia, that’s not just an idea – it’s reality.  The future of Cambodia lies in how deep Cambodians dive into their modern history, and how the Khmer Rouge regime is brought to justice.

musings

i spoke today at my parent’s church – Hope Covenant – in Strathmore about Hagar. i’m not a pro when it comes to public speaking, but i believe so firmly in the work that Hagar is doing that it kind of oozed out of me.

after having lived in Cambodia for the past 8 months, and working with Hagar, i think i actually believe in redemption – i actually believe that new life is possible – in this life time. i’m reminded of the redeeming power of love every day as I work for Hagar and hear stories of reintegration. women and kids who’ve come out of the most horrendous conditions – trafficking for sexual exploitation, horrific domestic violence, rape – are finding hope and new life through the work Hagar does. that inspires me. i also live across the street from tuol sleng, the old interrogation center the khmer rouge used to torture people (14,000 of them) before shuffling them off to the killing fields. now, the neighborhood is a pensive one. apparently it took years for people to populate this area again. but now there are families. and that’s where we live. on the second floor of townhouse, overlooking the banana grove behind the torture centre. i love where i live because it reminds of how jesus can make all things new. and how people are dreaming again in cambodia – a country that was devastated by civil war.

so my heart is full today. full of hope. and expectation that God is bringing new life to this world as His body cares for the oppressed, feeds the hungry, and speaks out truth in love.

darfur

just saw this doc the other night at Meta House – a PHnom Penh art gallery, bar/restaurant and small cinema. it was pretty awful watching. not the cinematography, but the absolute horror of war. and my own fear of intervening. of pursuing peace.

i think sand and sorrow does bring to light the injustice happening in darfur, but doesn’t actually come out and explain any concrete ways of getting involved in bringing peace to the region. i still feel stuck.

Free the Slaves

It doesn’t matter how often I hear or read stories like this.  I get goosebumps from the horror that it continues to happen.  Slavery, the awful reality of it.  And then the goosebumps stay because I have an overwhelming desire to be a part of the solution.

Read the moving blog entry:

Free the Slaves

And then watch Hagar’s video about Aftercare – it’s part of the solution to human trafficking and modern slavery.

An Intro to Hagar

A new video I’ve just posted to youtube and facebook.  I think it brilliantly and concisely describes the work HAGAR is doing in Cambodia and around the world.

Hagar Featured On The Blind Project

The organization that is near and  dear to my heart was featured by the blindproject – an organization based out of New York, NY that is committed to supporting women and children throughout the world who are victims of trafficking.  This particular blurb mentions Hagar in light of Global Giving - and from now until the end of March, or when Global Giving’s money runs out, anyone who makes a donation to Hagar through GG will see their donations doubled!  Double the impact.

Coffee is good for me

This is a slightly old article, but I just discovered it through a friend’s blog.  This is great news for those of us concerned about justice who are also obsessed with coffee.  Hooray!

Matthew 25 by John Stott

I am always inspired by the people I meet in Cambodia – Cambodians and expats alike.  I am challenged by them.  I am humbled by them.  And I always go home overwhelmed and grateful that God has created so many precious people – each so unique, so differently passionate – yet all made in the same image.  And we’re all on the same team!   

Kim is one of these people.  I went to the clinic in Phnom Penh where she’s been working for the past six months.  I went home changed.  Down a dusty side road on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, next to the open canal that stinks for miles, Kim helps women who work in brothels.  She loves them and cares for their babies.  She gives them medecine and walks with them as they learn preventative measures so maybe they won’t need so much medecine anymore. 

Thank you Kim for your work and your sense of humor and your willingness to share your experiences with us.  And for reminding me that following Jesus is about love – not just justice, but justice in love.  And that as we give cups of water and feed the least of these – we are serving Jesus himself.     

From Kim’s latest blog post: 

An interpretation of Matthew 25 by a homeless women:

I was hungry and you formed a humanities group to discuss my hunger.
I was imprisoned and you crept off quietly to your church and prayed for my release.
I was naked and in your mind you debated the morality of my appearance.
I was sick and you knelt and thanked God for your health.
I was homeless and you preached to me of the spiritual shelter of the love of God.
I was lonely and you left me alone to pray for me.
You seem so holy, so close to God,
but I am still very hungry – and lonely – and cold.

By John Stott

Canadian Human Rights Activist in Cambodia

Land grabs in Cambodia push poor out

Rights groups press government to end forced resettlement as parcels sold off `to highest bidder’

A Toronto Star article about Canadian Human Rights worker who was in the Dey Krohm apartment block while the police were forcing evictions.  Go Canadian activists go!

Poverty Prayer Week

Global Poverty Prayer Week - Get on your knees for the world's most vulnerable.

  “The world is not dangerous because of those who do harm but because of those who look at it without doing anything.” Albert Einstein

We might not be able to change the world, but we can pray.  Jesus did say that if we had the faith the size of a mustard seed that we would move mountains.  And faith starts with prayer right?  Talking to God?  Tear Fund UK is hosting the Global Poverty Prayer Week from Februay 23-March 1 this year.  I will be praying that my heart will broken by the things that break the heart of God.  And for creativity, passion, wisdom, and a heart that is willing to sacrifice for my brothers and sisters around the world who are enslaved, trafficked, malnourished, and hopeless.