Documentation Center of Cambodia
Encyclopedia
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.
'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.
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. 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. The text for Mr. Chhang was written by Senator John Kerry
.
Non-governmental organization
A non-governmental organization is a legally constituted organization created by natural or legal persons that operates independently from any government. The term originated from the United Nations , and is normally used to refer to organizations that do not form part of the government and are...
whose mission is to research and record the era of Democratic Kampuchea
Democratic Kampuchea
The Khmer Rouge period refers to the rule of Pol Pot, Nuon Chea, Ieng Sary, Son Sen, Khieu Samphan and the Khmer Rouge Communist party over Cambodia, which the Khmer Rouge renamed as 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 UniversityYale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
'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 RougeKhmer Rouge
The Khmer Rouge literally translated as Red Cambodians was the name given to the followers of the Communist Party of Kampuchea, who were the ruling party in Cambodia from 1975 to 1979, led by Pol Pot, Nuon Chea, Ieng Sary, Son Sen and Khieu Samphan...
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
Genocide
Genocide is defined as "the deliberate and systematic destruction, in whole or in part, of an ethnic, racial, religious, or national group", though what constitutes enough of a "part" to qualify as genocide has been subject to much debate by legal scholars...
.
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
Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh is the capital and largest city of Cambodia. Located on the banks of the Mekong River, Phnom Penh has been the national capital since the French colonized Cambodia, and has grown to become the nation's center of economic and industrial activities, as well as the center of security,...
for their work in documenting the crimes of Democratic Kampuchea. 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. The text for Mr. Chhang was written by Senator John Kerry
John Kerry
John Forbes Kerry is the senior United States Senator from Massachusetts, the 10th most senior U.S. Senator and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He was the presidential nominee of the Democratic Party in the 2004 presidential election, but lost to former President George W...
.