002/19-09-2007-ECCC-OCIJ ЮŲŠ / No: D427
were ill or who arrived late, or those whose work was considered unsatisfactory, were beaten
and insulted.1787 They were also punished when they were accused of “sexual misconduct”,
“being ill” or of “theft”.1788 Fear of being transferred1789 or executed1790 always loomed large.
410.
Regular reeducation sessions were held at S-24. During these sessions, the detainees, who
were exhorted to work with speed and efficiency,1791 were subjected to political training and
indoctrination,1792 and to self-assessment sessions.1793
Interrogations
411.
Several witnesses described how interrogations were conducted and that some detainees were
treated very badly by the staff during interrogations.1794 Duch stated that, in general, S-24 was
not a centre where prisoners were interrogated or tortured.1795 However, while he recognised
that interrogations may have taken place and that detainees might have been ill-treated during
interrogations, he stated that he never instructed the staff of S-24 to carry out interrogations in
order to extract confessions.1796
Security
412.
Disappearances of prisoners during the night were common1797 and those who disappeared
never returned.1798
413.
Some S-24 detainees were transferred to Choeng Ek for execution,1799 including children.1800
Some prisoners were also transferred from S-24 to S-21.1801 Duch admitted that at least 571 of
them were transferred.1802 In the Duch judgment of Case File 001, the Trial Chamber
notes:1803 “According to Expert David CHANDLER, one of the characteristics that
distinguished S-24 from S-21 was that individuals held at the former had the possibility of
release. The Accused stated, however, that S-24 detainees were seldom released and that all
were generally destined for execution regardless of their classification. The Accused testified
that he provided those running S-24 with a standing order to execute its detainees in
accordance with CPK policy. S-24 detainees slated for execution whose confessions were
needed were first sent to S-21, while those whose confessions were not required were sent
directly to Choeung Ek for execution. The Accused typically made this decision, though his
subordinates could send detainees directly to Choeung Ek when their confessions were
clearly unnecessary, as was the case with children. [internal citations omitted]”.
***
Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia, National Road 4, Choam Chao, Dangkao Phnom Penh
Mailing address: P.O. Box 71, Phnom Penh; Tel: +855(0)23 218914 Fax: +855(0) 23 218941.
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