Reach Sambath
Encyclopedia
Reach Sambath (17 July 1964 11 May 2011) was a Cambodian journalist and a spokesperson and Chief of Public Affairs of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia
(ECCC). Sambath was a respected journalist with a master’s degree from Columbia University
and a career as a university lecturer at the Royal University of Phnom Penh
and a reporter in Cambodia with Agence France-Presse
since 1990s.
's killing fields. For years, he searched for any scrap of memory of his lost family, eventually retrieving an old picture of his father from a family friend taken when he was a monk for a short-time in a Buddhist pagoda. After the Khmer Rouge period, he eked out a living as a bike taxi-driver from 1981 to 1984 to support his studies.
He attended Wat Phnom Primary School, and graduated from Sisowath High School or Lycée Sisowath
in 1987. In 1984, because of some English knowledge he acquired in school, he became an English teacher, known to many Cambodians at that time. During his toughest times living as an orphan, Reach Sambath stayed at a pagoda as a pagoda boy, and received support from relatives and people around him.
in India
. After the election organized by the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia
in 1993, Sambath pursued his studies in the field of Journalism at Chulalongkorn University
. He also took a course on Public Administration, Telecommunications and Journalism at a Californian University, the United States.
in India
from 1988 to 1992, Sambath returned to Cambodia and worked as a reporter for Agence-France Presse (AFP), based in Cambodia. He worked there until 2002. In an interview with an RFI, Sambath said that he did not have a strong like for his courses, but instead developed an interest in the press while he was in India.
. He was also regarded by the victims of the Khmer Rouge regime as "Spokesperson for the ghosts." Then, in June 2009, he was promoted to be a chief of public affairs of the ECCC.
Reach received an award in 2000 by US-based Human Rights Watch for his life story before and after the Khmer Rouge.
Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia
The Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia, commonly known as the "Khmer Rouge Tribunal", is a national court established pursuant to an agreement between the Royal Government of Cambodia and the United Nations to try senior members of the Khmer Rouge for serious violations of Cambodian...
(ECCC). Sambath was a respected journalist with a master’s degree from Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
and a career as a university lecturer at the Royal University of Phnom Penh
Royal University of Phnom Penh
The Royal University of Phnom Penh is Cambodia’s oldest and largest university located in the capital Phnom Penh. It hosts more than 10000 students across a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs...
and a reporter in Cambodia with Agence France-Presse
Agence France-Presse
Agence France-Presse is a French news agency, the oldest one in the world, and one of the three largest with Associated Press and Reuters. It is also the largest French news agency. Currently, its CEO is Emmanuel Hoog and its news director Philippe Massonnet...
since 1990s.
Early life
Sambath was born in Svay Rieng, Cambodia. His father was a district governor. In 1975, at the age of 10, he lost his mother, father and three of his four brothers to 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...
's killing fields. For years, he searched for any scrap of memory of his lost family, eventually retrieving an old picture of his father from a family friend taken when he was a monk for a short-time in a Buddhist pagoda. After the Khmer Rouge period, he eked out a living as a bike taxi-driver from 1981 to 1984 to support his studies.
He attended Wat Phnom Primary School, and graduated from Sisowath High School or Lycée Sisowath
Lycee Sisowath
Lycée Preah Sisowath is a secondary school in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The school was founded in 1873 as a collège and became a lycée in 1933.-History:...
in 1987. In 1984, because of some English knowledge he acquired in school, he became an English teacher, known to many Cambodians at that time. During his toughest times living as an orphan, Reach Sambath stayed at a pagoda as a pagoda boy, and received support from relatives and people around him.
1980s: Education
After graduation from high school, Reach Sambath received a scholarship to study AgricultureAgriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. After the election organized by the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia
United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia
The United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia was a United Nations peacekeeping operation in Cambodia in 1992–93. It was also the first occasion on which the UN had taken over the administration of an independent state, organized and run an election , had its own radio station and jail,...
in 1993, Sambath pursued his studies in the field of Journalism at Chulalongkorn University
Chulalongkorn University
Chulalongkorn University is the oldest university in Thailand and is the country's highest ranked university. It now has nineteen faculties and institutes. Regarded as the best and most selective university in Thailand, it consistently attracts top students from around the country...
. He also took a course on Public Administration, Telecommunications and Journalism at a Californian University, the United States.
As a journalist
After studying a bachelor's degree in AgricultureAgriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
from 1988 to 1992, Sambath returned to Cambodia and worked as a reporter for Agence-France Presse (AFP), based in Cambodia. He worked there until 2002. In an interview with an RFI, Sambath said that he did not have a strong like for his courses, but instead developed an interest in the press while he was in India.
As a journalism lecturer
Sambath became a journalism trainer in 1997. He taught Journalism in the Department of Media and Communication, Royal University of Phnom Penh. Besides his work with the ECCC, he usually spent his precious weekend teaching a class of feature writing.Work at the Khmer Rouge Tribunal
In February 2006, Sambath became a Cambodian spokesman at the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia ECCCExtraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia
The Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia, commonly known as the "Khmer Rouge Tribunal", is a national court established pursuant to an agreement between the Royal Government of Cambodia and the United Nations to try senior members of the Khmer Rouge for serious violations of Cambodian...
. He was also regarded by the victims of the Khmer Rouge regime as "Spokesperson for the ghosts." Then, in June 2009, he was promoted to be a chief of public affairs of the ECCC.
Death
Sambath died on May 11, 2011 at the age of 47, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, after having a massive stroke.Achievements
In recognition of his contributions to the nation, on 12 May 2011 the Royal Government of Cambodia awarded Reach Sambath the “Mony Saraphoan” medal at the “Maha Sereivann” grade.Reach received an award in 2000 by US-based Human Rights Watch for his life story before and after the Khmer Rouge.