Cambodia recently marked the 50th anniversary of the Khmer Rouge's rise to power, which resulted in a genocide that claimed approximately 1.7 million lives from 1975 to 1979. A commemorative ceremony at Choeung Ek, a killing field near Phnom Penh, drew around 2,000 attendees. The event included a re-enactment of the atrocities, serving as a reminder for younger generations, highlighted by personal testimonies from survivors. The Day of Remembrance emphasizes the importance of educating the youth about the past atrocities to prevent recurrence.
"When I come here, it reminds me, and I will never forget this Khmer Rouge regime because it was extremely cruel and barbaric," said 71-year-old Nhem Sovann, a Phnom Penh resident who lost six family members. "I saw with my own eyes that even children were taken and had their heads smashed against the trunk of a coconut tree."
"I feel scared, and I think the Khmer Rouge made our people afraid and I don't want that regime to happen again," said 23-year-old art student Pen Kunthea. She mentioned learning about the regime from her parents and studies, emphasizing its emotional impact.
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