On their wedding nights, hundreds of men and women, some who had never met until the collective ceremony when they were bound in marriage, held each other in fear as they were forced to consummate their union under the watchful eyes of Khmer Rouge cadre.
Beginning on Tuesday, the Khmer Rouge tribunal will hear the stories of the victims of these forced marriages – or “red weddings” – as they are prosecuted as a crime against humanity.
Academic Maria Elander, whose article Prosecuting the Khmer Rouge Marriages appeared in the Australian Feminist Law Journal earlier this month, wrote the charges “stand as the only alleged crime of sexual and gender-based violence” that the tribunal will hear.
As such, she said, the stakes are high.
While some male soldiers were gifted a spouse of their choice, Elander points out that both men and women were forced to marry without choice or consent, meaning both could be victims of the same rape, and the omnipotent “Angkar” the perpetrator.
Some witnesses have already testified that Khmer Rouge cadres were stationed outside the huts of newlyweds to “monitor” the consummation. Some couples stayed together and raised children; others separated after the regime’s fall.
Elander said when the court began operating 10 years ago, sexual violence was not considered widespread due to strict moral codes against violating women, extramarital sex and rape. But the regime’s regulation of marriage was considered as a potential crime after civil parties came forward on the often-taboo topic.
Beginning on Tuesday, the Khmer Rouge tribunal will hear the stories of the victims of these forced marriages – or “red weddings” – as they are prosecuted as a crime against humanity.
Academic Maria Elander, whose article Prosecuting the Khmer Rouge Marriages appeared in the Australian Feminist Law Journal earlier this month, wrote the charges “stand as the only alleged crime of sexual and gender-based violence” that the tribunal will hear.
As such, she said, the stakes are high.
While some male soldiers were gifted a spouse of their choice, Elander points out that both men and women were forced to marry without choice or consent, meaning both could be victims of the same rape, and the omnipotent “Angkar” the perpetrator.
Some witnesses have already testified that Khmer Rouge cadres were stationed outside the huts of newlyweds to “monitor” the consummation. Some couples stayed together and raised children; others separated after the regime’s fall.
Elander said when the court began operating 10 years ago, sexual violence was not considered widespread due to strict moral codes against violating women, extramarital sex and rape. But the regime’s regulation of marriage was considered as a potential crime after civil parties came forward on the often-taboo topic.
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