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5mo ago

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.