Kambol (Phnom Penh, Cambodia). 20/08/2009: Chum Sirath, 68-year-old civil party, on a screen in the press room at the ECCC during his testimony on Day 62 in Duch’s trial ©John Vink/ MagnumBy Stéphanie Gée
Ka-set
Drama is an important component of justice. It helps write the key moments of a trial. Its impetus lies in eloquence, provocation, unsettling the opponent and historical perspective. To this day, this weapon – not to say this necessity – has mostly been the prerogative of the defence. During this week of powerful and moving testimonies, civil parties stole the show from Duch. Thursday August 20th, Mr Chum Sirath spoke to the court. Humourous, incisive, pertinent, sensitive, sometimes lawyer, sometimes prosecutor, he cornered Duch, who lost some of his eloquence. His performance crudely recalled the near-inexistence of the prosecution in Duch’s trial. Like Chum Sirath, Mr Ou Savrith, who testified from France, left no chance for any forgiveness to the accused.
(Quotations from M. Chum Sirath rewritten with his help, following mistakes in the translation during the hearing. Indicated in italic in “People categorisation: a Cambodian tradition“ and in “The defence calls for more serenity in the hearing“)
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