The highlight of Phnom Penh for me, but not for Jenny, was visiting the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. During the period between 1975 through 1979, Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge, reigned over Cambodia in a bloody “killing field”, to borrow from the movie! It is said that during this period the Khmer Rouge killed over two million people.
The words “Tuol Sleng” means: a poisonous hill or a place on a mound to keep those who bear or supply guilt. Incidentally, there were many more such prisons throughout Cambodia.
The Tuol Sleng Museum was formerly a high school that was converted into a prison where one can see graphic details of what the Khmer Rouge did to anyone who disagreed with them; this included many, women and children. As with the Holocaust we should never forget.
This school, with three buildings, became know as Security Office 21 (S-21). The prison is reputed to have imprisoned at least 14, 000 people and most all of them never came out. Cambodia’s Genocide Tribunal is scheduled to hold its full trial on March 30, 2009, of Kaing Guek Eav alias Duch.
The words “Tuol Sleng” means: a poisonous hill or a place on a mound to keep those who bear or supply guilt. Incidentally, there were many more such prisons throughout Cambodia.
The Tuol Sleng Museum was formerly a high school that was converted into a prison where one can see graphic details of what the Khmer Rouge did to anyone who disagreed with them; this included many, women and children. As with the Holocaust we should never forget.
This school, with three buildings, became know as Security Office 21 (S-21). The prison is reputed to have imprisoned at least 14, 000 people and most all of them never came out. Cambodia’s Genocide Tribunal is scheduled to hold its full trial on March 30, 2009, of Kaing Guek Eav alias Duch.
If you want would like to know more read this article published in the New York Times March 7, 2009.
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