Tuol Sleng and the Khmer Rouge

Yesterday we visited Tuol Sleng meseum, located in the capital city of Pnom Penh. Tuol Sleng was a former elementary school that was turned into a prison and torture facility by the Khmer Rouge shortly after their takeover in 1975. Thousands were interned and interrogated here. This was a major holding-point for prisoners prior to being taken to a major killing field site about 12 miles south to be executed. The survival rate of the people brought here was horrific: of approximately 20,000, a mere 7 survived.

The cells are preserved in their original state, and many of the chains, restraints and torture devices are on display. Interestingly, all of the prisoners were photographed and their life histories documented. Their are rooms full of their pictures, some clothes and journals. At the killing field to the south, 9,000 skulls which were exhumed from a mass grave are on display in a large memorial pagoda. As you can imagine, this was a very somber and moving experience. Anyone who has visited a WWII concentration camp probably can relate.

The effects of the 3 1/2 year reign of the Khmer Rouge are still very prevalent in Cambodian society today. For example, some of the leaders of the KR government played a role in today's goverment until as recent as last year.

After being removed from power by a Vietnamese incursion, the Khmer Rouge went into exile and waged a US-backed guerilla war throughout the country. The Khmer Rouge was also recognized by the UN as the official government of Cambodia for nearly a decade after their defeat.