|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All the letters both in original Khmer and translated into English
The originals were written by the girls and bear their thumbprints. They have also attached photos of themselves to the individual letters. As they cannot write in English they received help with the handwritten English versions. Here now are some sample letters Translated into English.
|
1. Kuun Sovie's letter
|
Hello, I am the girl name Kuun Sovie. I am sixteen years old. I am nationality Cambodian. In July 2002 me and my sister were kidnapped by the CWCC and the police. Then they keep me in the CWCC detention place for six months. These bad people force me give false testimony against 'Lucky' (Bart Lauwaert). The CWCC promise my family a lot of money to do this but they lie! They never help my family. No my father die and my family very poor. Nobody have job or money, go to school. Please help us!
Thank you,
Sovie
(translated from Khmer) 30 October 2004.
|
|
2. Kuun Sovey's letter
|
Hello my friends and brothers and sisters. I am Kuun Sovey. I am fifteen years old. I am the younger sister of Sovie. My story is the same as my sister. CWCC kidnap me same time as my sister. Force me to complain about 'Lucky' (Bart Lauwaert). He, the only man in the world, used to help my family. He want to do good deed - help the poor people. But CWCC no good. Promise money a lot to my mother and say (if) I do not do as they say they will put me and my family in the Prison. I want Lucky to have freedom. I angry CWCC lie a lot (and) destroy my family. Now nobody have the food. Please help!
Sovey
(translated from Khmer) 30 October 2004.
|
|
3. Puung Lika's letter
|
Hello, people of the world, all together! My name is Srey Lika and I am seventeen years old. More than two ears ago the police and CWCC came to my village and grab my body (abduct). They then take me to the house of CWCC. They tell me must stay there by law - they say must help them get the money from Australian government. They force me to accuse my friend and teacher - to say he rape me. This not true. 'Lucky' (Bart Lauwaert) is same like monk. For six months CWCC make me sleep on floor in their office. They teach me say many bad things about Lucky at trial. I very, very angry them. You know I very ashamed to speak but this organization take me to doctor to check my virginity. I don't want to go . . . but I very afraid them. After six months they send me back to my aunt not give me anything! Both my parents dead - only have my aunt very old. Nobody my village want marry with me now. What I do? Somebody have good heart. Please help me and my aunt.
Srey Lika
(translated from Khmer) 30 October 2004. (Srey Lika means 'Girl Lika)
|
|
4. Praem Laum's letter
|
My name is Praem Laum and I am eighteen years old. I live at Keing Doong Kum Level village - Siem Reap Province. In August 2002 (?) grabbed me and locked me away in their detention place for six months. They abuse me and want me to complain against Bart and Clinton. They said: Do that! Take the money! But he Lucky (Bart)/Clinton never did this action (against the law). CWCC broke the law many, many times. CWCC same as criminals. Now my family same like prisoners because we are so poor we have nothing to eat. Please we beg the foreigners for help to us.
Praem Laum
(translated from Khmer) 30 October 2004
|
|
5. Nuon Sokhom's letter
|
My name is Nuon Sokhom. Hello there! In august 2002 the CWCC arrested me (without warrant) and took me to their Prison. At their place they abused me because they wanted to force a complaint against Lucky (Bart). They want me to answer that Lucky raped me - They said if I do (say) like that I will get a lot of money! But Lucky never did anything at all! CWCC is wrong with the law already! (They) kidnap the small children then put in place same like prison. Now my family very, very poor. We do not have any food because we don't have a father - only our mother. So please I beg all the foreigners to help my family.
Nuon Sokhom
(translated from Khmer) 30 October 2004
|
|
6. Pat Srey Poev's letter
|
My name is Paad Srey Pou. I am twelve years old and live in Puung Kedoong village, Siem Reap Province. I want to tell you about the CWCC. This organization took me to their Prison for six months stay inside. Every seven days they gave me eight cents (= 300 Riel)!!!. They never allowed me outside. Now my father is very sick and is in hospital. Please help us so I can help my father.
Thank you.
Paad Srey Pou
(translated from Khmer) 30 October 2004
|
|
7. Pream Lieo's letter
|
My name is Pream Liew (sister of Praem Laum). I am thirteen years old. My village is Keing Doong Kum Level village - Siem Reap Province. On the 2nd of August 2002 (?) came and kidnapped me and took me to their holding centre. We were not allowed to go anywhere for six months! They treat me badly (abuse) and want me to answer that Bart raped me! They said that if I did like this I would get a lot of money but he (Lucky) not guilty at all! CWCC break the law very, very much. CWCC treats like prisoners. My family is now so poor we really don't have any food to eat at all. I beg the foreigners to help us.
Pream Liew
(translated from Khmer) 30 October 2004
|
|
8. Run Raun's letter
|
My name is Roen Raan (sister of Roen Srey Rie) and I am eighteen years old. When I worked at Lucky's (Clinton's)* house I was happy in my heart. Three months later the CWCC abducted me and took me to their place and forced me to say Lucky/Clint raped me but to tell the truth he never did anything. The CWCC knew this about Lucky. They knew he was a good person who always helped to feed the poor who had nothing to eat. I lost my mother three years ago. Please foreigners, help our family.
Run Rauns
(translated from Khmer) 30 October 2004
*The two men shared a house briefly. The girls also confuse singular and plural in relation to the two men.
|
|
9. Run Srey Rie's letter
|
My name is Roen Srei Rie and I am sixteen years old. When I went to Lucky/Clinton's house I was very happy! Lucky/Clinton* is a very good person(s) who never rape children at all! On Tuesday 12th August 2002 the organization CWCC kidnapped me - I was taken to their place. They (CWCC) forced me to say Lucky raped me. But Lucky never rape me. No! When the CWCC interrogate me I tell them he is a good person who helps the poor who have no food at all. Please I ask the foreigners to help me! The CWCC took me to their centre and made me (against my will) stay there for six months and me, Roen Srei Rie, lost my mother three years ago already.
Roen Srei Rie
(translated from Khmer) 30 October 2004
*The two men shared a house briefly. The girls also confuse singular and plural in relation to the two men.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
