The Documentation Center of Cambodia (DC-Cam) was established in 1995. DC-Cam is a non-profit, non-governmental, non-partisan, non-political and independent research institute in Cambodia and dedicated to documenting the History of the Democratic Kampuchea (DK) regime, between 1975 and 1979.
In 1995, DC-Cam received official permission and authorization from the Cambodian government to operate as an independent research institute tasked with documenting and disseminating information on the Khmer Rouge (KR) period. Enclosed is the letter of authorization from the Council of Ministers in both English and Khmer. Originally founded in 1995 and attached to Yale University in the U.S.
Since 1997, DC-Cam has existed as an independent legal entity in Phnom Penh and is built upon an uncompromisingly firm and transparent financial foundation. It carefully oversees and manages the distribution of the valuable resources donated to it with no trace of the corrupt practices that are endemic to the region.
DC-Cam has two main objectives: The first is to record and preserve the history of the DK regime for future generations. The second is to assemble historical documents and related materials that serve as potential evidentiary information in support of those who seek accountability for the crimes of the Khmer Rouge (KR). Being the world’s largest repository of original KR documents, DC-Cam has taken a lead role in supplying the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) with half a million copies of evidentiary documents and testimonial accounts of survivors of the Khmer Rouge era from its vast archive.
DC-Cam also provides digital access to its archive to officials, scholars, and the general public in an impartial manner. DC-Cam is guided in all of its efforts by the principles that inhere in the concepts of memory and justice. They serve as the foundation for establishing the rule of law and achieving a genuine national reconciliation.
DC-Cam has conducted extensive research and outreach activities to raise awareness of the KR period and the ECCC’s work. DC-Cam provides genocide education training to national, regional and communal university professors and secondary school teachers throughout the country. The Center promotes art and culture in post-conflict societies, and it continues to help KR survivors search for their lost loved ones.
Since its inception, DC-Cam’s operational and strategic work has centered on local communities with a primary focus on building awareness and resolve. With extensive experience in grass-roots action programs, DC-Cam has earned the cooperation and trust of a variety of Cambodian ministries, including the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS), the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, and Ministry of Tourism. DC-Cam’s Executive Director also has a long-standing cordial relationship with the Prime Minister and the country’s monarchy.
In addition, DC-Cam has established and maintains a very favorable relationship with local authorities, both civil and religious.
Contact
Ros Sampeou, Director
Documentation and Democracy Project
t: +855 (0)12 882 505
e: truthsampeou.r@dccam.org