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Cambodia Blocks Survivor Memorials on Khmer Rouge Anniversary

On the 50th anniversary of the Khmer Rouge's rise to power, authorities barred commemorations at key genocide sites, citing public order concerns.

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The Khmer Rouge were initially given a cautious welcome by Phnom Penh's war-weary residents when they entered the city on April 17, 1975
A special tribunal sponsored by the United Nations convicted three key Khmer Rouge figures before ceasing operations in 2022

Overview

  • April 17, 2025 marks 50 years since the Khmer Rouge took control of Phnom Penh, initiating a brutal regime that killed approximately two million people.
  • Phnom Penh authorities denied permission for a memorial event at Choeung Ek, the infamous 'Killing Fields,' citing public order and safety concerns.
  • Survivors were prohibited from praying before victims' remains, prompting criticism from rights advocates and genocide researchers.
  • A recently enacted law criminalizing denial of Khmer Rouge atrocities has raised concerns over potential misuse to suppress dissent.
  • Despite the closure of the UN-backed tribunal in 2022, many former Khmer Rouge cadres remain free, leaving survivors seeking fuller accountability.