Documentation Center of Cambodia

Documentation Center of Cambodia (DC-Cam)
Founded 1995 by Yale University's Cambodian Genocide Program
Became independent in 1997
Type Non-profit
NGO
Location
Services research, outreach, education
Fields Documenting human rights abuses
Website http://www.d.dccam.org

The Documentation Center of Cambodia (DC-Cam) is a Cambodian non-governmental organization whose mission is to research and record the era of Democratic Kampuchea (April 17, 1975 – January 7, 1979) for the purposes of memory and justice.

History

In 1994, the United States Congress passed the Cambodian Genocide Justice Act which provided grants to Yale University's Cambodian Genocide Program. DC-Cam was the field office of the Yale program until January 1, 1997, when it became an independent non-governmental organization.

Organization

The Center presently contains the world's largest archive on the Khmer Rouge period with over 155,000 pages of documents and 6,000 photographs. DC-Cam undertakes numerous research, outreach, and educational projects which have resulted in the publication of many books on the Khmer Rouge period, a national genocide education initiative, and support services for victims and survivors of the Khmer Rouge regime. DC-Cam is recognized as one of the leading research centers on the Cambodian genocide.

In August 2006, former U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia Joseph Mussomeli honored the staff and volunteers of DC-Cam at the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh for their work in documenting the crimes of Democratic Kampuchea.[1] In 2007, DC-Cam's Director Youk Chhang was named one of Time magazine's "100 Most Influential People" of 2007 in their "Heroes and Pioneers" section.[2] The text for Mr. Chhang was written by Senator John Kerry.

Future Plan

In 2008 the Cambodian Ministry of Education gave the Center a plot of land totaling approximately 4,800 square feet (450 m2) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. DC-Cam plans to construct a permanent research institution in 2010 and change its name to the Sleuk Rith Institute.[3] The Sleuk Rith Institute will expand upon the original functions of DC-Cam by incorporating a museum, library, theater hall, and course offerings in genocide studies, human rights, and international law.

References

  1. ↑ "DC-Cam Staff Honored for Documenting Cambodia's Genocide". U.S. Department of State. 2006-08-16. Archived from the original on 23 September 2006. Retrieved 18 December 2010.
  2. ↑ John Kerry (2007-05-03). "Youk Chhang - The TIME 100". TIME. Retrieved 2010-12-18.
  3. ↑ Chhang, Youk. "Responding to the Cambodian Genocide in a Global Context: DC-Cam's Strategic Plan 2009-2011" (PDF). Documentation Center of Cambodia. Retrieved 18 December 2010.

External links

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