Apologies, Justice, and the Ghosts of Genocide

As we prepare to observe the six genocide commemorations that fall in the month of April --- and, hopefully, plan to participate in the many events organized around Genocide Prevention Month --- it's important to keep in mind that genocide does not begin and end with the killings. Rather, genocide so pervasively tears apart lives, families, communities, and societies, that its aftershocks are felt for generations to come.  The ghosts of genocide are relentless.

And, since this space has been overwhelmingly dedicated to Darfur over the last month, I think it's time for a quick detour:

The torturer-in-chief of Cambodia's brutal Khmer Rouge regime apologized for the deaths of 14,000 people at the infamous S-21, or Tuol Sleng, prison during the genocide campaign of the 1970s.  The trial of Kaing Guek Eav, widely known as "Duch," commenced earlier this week --- the first trial of an accused perpetrator of the Cambodian genocide. Duch told the court, "[I would] like to express regret and my heartfelt sorrow for all the crimes committed":

"I am responsible for the crimes committed at S-21, especially the torture and execution of the people there...May I be permitted to apologies to the survivors of the regime and families of the victims who had loved ones who died brutally at S-21. I would like you to forgive me."

The confession, however, is not a guilty plea --- rather, it will be presented as evidence at the trial. Four other senior Khmer Rouge officials are due to stand trial as well, but the Cambodia Prime Minister, a former Khmer Rouge commander himself, dismissed the possibility of additional prosecutions, arguing that it will push the country back into civil war. (Highly possible that the PM doesn't want investigators digging too deeply into his country's --- and his --- gruesome past.)

Justice for genocide is never swift or complete --- if it comes at all. Still, the pursuit stays alive so long as the perpetrators do as well. Alleged Nazi war criminals, for instance, are currently fighting extradition to Germany from both the U.S. and Australia.

And 15 years later, the wheels are still turning in Rwanda --- while the militia responsible for the genocide continues to wreck havoc in the Congo.

Unity and reconciliation is no easy task, either.

[Photo from AP: Cambodian Meo Soknen, 13, stands inside a small shrine full of human bones and skulls, all victims of the Khmer Rouge, near her home Tuesday, March 31, 2009, in the Kandal Steung district of Kandal province, Cambodia.]