The ethics of exhumation

To dig or not to dig? Experts are polarised on whether the possibility of making important forensic finds is worth disturbing the bones at Choeung Ek.

Beyond the stupa stacked high with skulls and the simple wire fence that rims one of the Khmer Rouge’s bloodiest killing fields, a number of mass graves lie untouched.

And according to archaeologist Voeun Vuthy, for now they will remain that way, despite his scientific urge to investigate.

Under oath before the Khmer Rouge Tribunal last month, Vuthy, who is also a director within the Cambodian Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, said he had identified three to five mass graves he wanted to unearth near Choeung Ek killing field, a request that has been denied by the government. “My team was not allowed to do the excavation, they rule they cannot allow us to dig any more,” Vuthy later told the Post.

LONG AND COMPLETE ANALYSIS HERE  http://www.phnompenhpost.com/post-weekend/ethics-exhumation

 

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