Death, Survival and Victimhood Under the Khmer Rouge Regime
Death, Survival and Victimhood Under the Khmer Rouge Regime

Summary/Abstract: In this article, I discuss how the survivors of the Cambodian genocide explain victimhood under Democratic Kampuchea (DK) by engaging stories about death and survival. I argue against the victim-agent dichotomy and claim that both a sense of helplessness and an ability to act independently can be part of the same story. I also argue that agency plays an important role in ascribing groups and individuals victimhood only when their victimhood is seen as debatable (if individuals belonged to the Khmer Rouge). Death and survival are often viewed as stemming from the same social, political, and cultural rationale. People die because of certain biographical facts (being educated, rich, having been abroad, having served Lon Nol’s regime), physical living conditions (hard work, absence of food), various acts and decisions made without the approval of Angkar (the structures of the Khmer Rouge leadership and surveillance), illness, location and time. Concealing dangerous biographical facts, being obedient to Angkar, or simply being lucky with the location (being sent to good versus bad locations) and work (being given work that allowed an individual greater access to food) contributed to an individual’s survival. While interviewees usually portray themselves and others as passive, they also discuss smaller or bigger independent actions. Rather than necessarily causing death, these actions help individuals to survive and save others’ lives.

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