Meeting The Boy Who Survived

In S-21, there was a photograph of four boys. In the picture, the boys are of various ages, naked, and being held by soldiers. Our guide Sum shared with us that these are the four child survivors. In 1979 using a dirty laundry bin, the boys successfully escaped the prison. One of the boys pictured (second from right) is Norng Chan Phal. Both of his parents were killed in S-21, and yet he was able to escape. Now, Phal now comes to the prison each day to share his story of survival. We were able to meet him and bear witness to his story. It was beyond overwhelming for me. After going through this prison of death and destruction, torture and murder, it was incredible to meet Phal and hear from him his story of survival. Tears were flowing freely down as I listened to his story… He shared some of his memories he had with his brother in S-21. He also wanted us to know that although he endured this horrific trauma, he also has had many joys in his life: he got married; he has two beautiful children. He shared that he wants his two children to grow up in a Cambodia free from terror. Proudly, Phal shows the photograph of himself giving his testimony at the tribunal E.C.C.C. High ranking officials of the Khmer Rouge were charged with Grace Crimes Against Humanity going against the Geneva Convention. Here, Phal was able to confront Duch, the senior member of the KR and operational leader of S-21. 

(Above: January 21, 2020 Norng Chan Phal talking about his life as a survivor of S-21; the book Norng Chan Phal:The Mystery of the Boy at S-21 by Dr. Kok-Thay Eng; photo of Phal testifying at the Khmer Rouge Tribunal in 2007; photo of Duch, the Khmer Rouge leader and mastermind behind the S-21 Prison responding to Phal’s testimony)