002/19-09-2007-ECCC-OCIJ ЮŲŠ / No: D427
birth.806 Entire families were made to leave Phnom Penh807 although frequently family
members were separated from each other.808
226.
The precise number of persons who were made to leave Phnom Penh is unclear, although the
total figure is likely to be 1.5 to 2.6 million people.809 Witnesses refer to seeing masses of
people travelling in the streets810 and that the entire city was emptied of people.811 Before 17
April 1975, the CPK claimed that the population in Phnom Penh and other areas controlled by
the enemy was around one million.812 After 17 April 1975, the CPK officially estimated that
the total number of persons moved from Phnom Penh was two million.813 Later the CPK put
the number of persons moved from Phnom Penh and provincial capitals at around three
million814 (although the same figure of three million was sometimes also cited for the
population moved from Phnom Penh alone, including by Ieng Sary).815 In 1977, the CPK
changed their estimation of total number of people moved to four million.816
Initial Destination
227.
The civilian population left Phnom Penh by the national roads in all directions: north, south,
east and west of the city.817 In general, people were not provided with directions818 nor
informed of the final destination819 other than to go to rural areas820 or to their birth place or
home village.821 On occasion CPK troops made people change their route.822 The evidence
shows that the people left Phnom Penh for most of the zones in Cambodia.823 The local
communities were often instructed to receive the newly arriving population and provide food
and shelter, although it was generally not sufficient for the number of arrivals.824 In other
cases, the civilian population from Phnom Penh was either housed in halls825 or had to
establish their own accommodation.826 Some people became ill from the journey from Phnom
Penh or from the conditions on arrival.827 People who had originated from Phnom Penh were
identified as “new people” or “17 April people” or “depositee people” and were often targeted
on arrival based on this identity.828
Means and Method of the Movement
Means
228.
The persons enforcing the movement of the population from Phnom Penh were identified by
witnesses as “Khmer Rouge” troops.829 They were described as wearing black830 or khaki831
clothes, some with scarves832 or kramas around their necks.833 The “Khmer Rouge” troops
were often armed.834
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.
61
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