Category - LIVE Blogging

Ceremony before Duch Verdict Release

With sad faces and some even cry, S-21 victim's relative march to the monument which is built to remind about how cruel the Pol Pot regime is / by: Dara Saoyuth

With sad faces and some even cry, S-21 victim's relative march to the monument which is built to remind about how cruel the Pol Pot regime is / by: Dara Saoyuth

A lot of Cambodians and foreigners whose parents or relatives were killed at Toul Sleng (S-21) gathered to celebrate a ceremony welcoming for the upcoming verdict which will be released on Monday, 26 July,2010.

Chum Sirath, First Deputy President of Ksem Ksan, a Victims Association of Democratic Kampucheea, read a letter dedicated to people who died at Toul Sleng. Bellow is the meaning from that letter:

Tomorrow, 26 July, 2010, the extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of  Cambodia will announce the verdict of Kaing Guek Eav alias Duch who was in charge of the notorious national torture center S-21. We call on the soul of our beloved brothers and sisters who have died in Toul Sleng and Cherng Ek after enduring unspeakable opportunities and who are now in after world to please come back and listen to the verdict in the hope that you, beloved brothers and sisters will finally receive justice. When you have heard the verdict, we pray for your soul to enjoy peace and happiness which was denied to you during your time on this earth.

Victims' representatives give alms to monks dedicated to thier relatives who have been killed during Pol Pot Regime / by: Dara Saoyuth

Victims' representatives give alms to monks dedicated to thier relatives who have been killed during Pol Pot Regime / by: Dara Saoyuth

Attendees bow down to the floor and salute monks pray for thier relatives who have died during Khmer Rouge Regime to live in peace and happiness / by: Dara Saoyuth

Attendees bow down to the floor and salute monks pray for thier relatives who have died during Khmer Rouge Regime to live in peace and happiness / by: Dara Saoyuth

A monument in S-21 built to remind the next generation how cruel Pol Pot Regime is / by: Dara Saoyuth

A monument in S-21 built to remind the next generation how cruel Pol Pot Regime is / by: Dara Saoyuth

An entire scene of the celebration looking from the 1st floor of a buidling in S-21 / by: Dara Saoyuth

An entire scene of the celebration looking from the 1st floor of a buidling in S-21 / by: Dara Saoyuth

A person who has relatives died at Toul Sleng cried when she remind about them / by: Dara Saoyuth

A person who has relatives died at Toul Sleng cried when she remind about them / by: Dara Saoyuth

People with sad faces and some even cry when they remind about thier relatives who have been killed during Khmer Rouge Regime / by: Dara Saoyuth

People with sad faces and some even cry when they remind about thier relatives who have been killed during Khmer Rouge Regime / by: Dara Saoyuth

By: Dara Saoyuth

25/07/2010

Public Forum on the advent of Duch verdict

Duch verdict release is on the way to come while Cambodian victims are waiting for justice.

This morning meeting, Transforming the Killing Fields into Healding, Living Fields, at Pannasastra University of Cambodia (PUC) is one among plenty of events celebrate for the purpose of meeting and knowing the victim feeling toward the upcoming verdict.

11 speakers from various institution joint this event to answer audience questions.

I will provide more detail tonight…

by: Dara Saoyuth

23/07/2010

Starting Day of 60th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations, Cambodia – U.S

Marine Forces Pacific Band / by: Koam Tivea

Marine Forces Pacific Band / by: Koam Tivea

Sunday, July 18, 2010 marks the starting day of celebrating 60th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations, Cambodia – United States. For this first day, at Chaktomuk Concert Hall, there is a concert by The 46-member Pacific Fleet U.S. Navy Band who performs a variety of music including military marches, classical, and contemporary.

Chapei Musicians / by: Koam Tivea

Chapei Musicians / by: Koam Tivea

For the Cambodian side, we have several chapei dong veng (a Cambodian two-stringed, long-necked guitar) performers and members of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces band.

by: Dara Saoyuth

20/07/2010

Multi-national Military Exercise Hosted in Cambodia

US military marches at the opening ceremony of "The Angkor Sentinel 2010" / By: Dara Saoyuth

US military marches at the opening ceremony of "The Angkor Sentinel 2010" / By: Dara Saoyuth

The multi-national military exercise called “The Angkor Sentinel 2010” was officially launched this morning at a military base in Kompong Speu province. 703 militaries from 24 countries and two organizations, Red Cross and the United Nations, are participating in this two weeks field training. 135 Cambodian militaries are also joining this event and there are marching and parachuting for this opening day.

A UN military parachuting from the 3000m height / By: Dara Saoyuth

A UN military parachuting from the 3000m height / By: Dara Saoyuth

In his speech at the event, Prime Minister Hun Sen confirmed that this military exercise is not made for threatening any countries but just for sharing experience and building military relationship between countries in the region and in the world.

“From a country that used to receive blue hat soldiers (refer to UN troop uniforms) to help keeping peace, Cambodia has become a country that sends blue hat soldiers to help keeping peace in other nations,” Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said.

He said on behalf of government and Cambodian, he warmly welcome for the 60th anniversary of the relationship between Cambodia and United States, and hope this relationship will improve as these two countries want.

By: Dara Saoyuth

17/07/2010

The First Monk Meeting

During the meeting at Chaktomok Theatre / By: Dara Saoyuth

During the meeting at Chaktomok Theatre / By: Dara Saoyuth

The meeting about how to improve Theravada Buddhism monk management in pagodas within Cambodia was celebrated at Chaktomuk Theatre this morning from 7:30am. Around 400 monks, which are the head of pagodas in the Kingdom, are invited to join this meeting.

The program for this morning meeting is mostly about the presentation of Cambodian Constitutional Law related to religion.

There will have another meeting today at 1:30pm at the same place, and it is the discussion section about Buddhism in Cambodia in the present time.

By: Dara Saoyuth

For more detail will distribute soon…