January 23, 2007
Former Khmer Rouge Photographer Seeks Redemption
through Planned Museum
By The Associated Press
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — The former chief photographer at a torture center run
by
pictures of the leaders of the notorious communist group, as his way of
apologizing for the death and destruction they caused.
Ngem En, now 47, had with his camera documented for the Khmer Rouge the
roster of thousands of people taken into
torture and eventual execution in the late 1970s. Haunting photos of the
victims are the centerpiece of a genocide museum at the prison site, also
known as Tuol Sleng.
Historians and other researchers estimate that upward of 1.7 million
Cambodians died of execution, starvation, overwork and inadequate medical
care due to the extremist policies of the Khmer Rouge.
Ngem En's project is to set up a museum at Anlong Veng, a former Khmer Rouge
stronghold in northern
chief.
The project, for which he said he received government permission a month
ago, would be his "opportunity to apologize to all the victims who have
suffered during that era," he said.
He will exhibit pictures of all Khmer Rouge leaders who ruled Cambodia from
1975-79, including Pol Pot, Nuon Chea, Ieng Sary, Khieu Samphan and Son Sen,
he told The Associated Press. "It was these leaders who caused destruction
and misery to
The project would "let the next generation of Cambodians understand about
Pol Pot's cruel regime," he said. Khmer Rouge chief Pol Pot died in 1998,
but other former leaders of the group are still alive and living freely in
Ngem En said he has a collection of photographs he has taken or obtained
over the past few decades, and that as many as 1,000 pictures could be
suitable for display.
The project, if realized, could also help the local economy where he works,
he said.
The museum would be an added attraction for tourists coming to visit Anlong
Veng, which is where Pol Pot died and the Khmer Rouge movement finally
collapsed in 1999.
The government has designated Anlong Veng, about 305 kilometers (190 miles)
northwest of
attractions include the house of Ta Mok, the former Khmer Rouge army chief
who died in July last year, and the spot where Pol Pot was cremated.
While apologizing for his work as a photographer for the Khmer Rouge, Ngem
En said he had no choice if he wanted to survive.
"I deeply regret it, but nobody could help anyone," he said.
Youk Chhang, director of the Documentation Center of Cambodia, an
independent group researching the Khmer Rouge's crimes, said Ngem En's
readiness to apologize publicly through his project provides an example to
the remaining Khmer Rouge leaders and would help national reconciliation.
He said he admires Ngem En's "frankness, courage and initiative" in
undertaking a project based on his own work.
"He came to us with a bunch of photographs saying that he wanted to tell
the
history to the public as a Khmer Rouge person," said Youk Chhang, himself
a
survivor of the Khmer Rouge regime. "He said he heard people are angry with
the Khmer Rouge and he wanted to apologize."
Ngem En said he does not know yet how much the project will cost, and called
for interested partners to join in the venture.
"It will be a private project, but the money to be generated from it will
help develop Anlong Veng town and the local economy," he said.
Copyright 2007
International Herald Tribune