UNESCO World Heritage List: Cambodia genocide survivors 'thrilled' at new status

Survivors of Cambodia's four-year genocide connected Saturday (July 12, 2025) told AFP they were "thrilled" that the tract of their lives' biggest fearfulness has gained UNESCO recognition.

Three notorious Cambodian torture and execution sites utilized by the Khmer Rouge authorities to perpetrate genocide 50 years agone were inscribed connected UNESCO's World Heritage List connected Friday (July 11, 2025.)

One of the sites, Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum successful the capital, is simply a erstwhile precocious schoolhouse which was converted into a notorious situation known arsenic S-21, wherever an estimated 15,000 radical were imprisoned and tortured.

"I americium truthful thrilled," said Chum Mey, 1 of conscionable a fistful of S-21 survivors who present sells his memoirs successful the situation compound wherever helium says helium was beaten, electrocuted and starved. "The listing by UNESCO reminds maine of the torture against me," helium said.

The 2 different sites are Choeung Ek Genocide Centre, besides successful the capital, and different tract known arsenic M-13 successful a agrarian country successful cardinal Kampong Chhnang province. "I americium truthful blessed and excited that UNESCO recognises Tuol Sleng museum, Choeung Ek, and M-13," Chum Mey said. "This is for the adjacent generations."

Around 2 cardinal radical died of starvation, forced labour oregon torture oregon were slaughtered successful wide killings betwixt 1975 and 1979. On Saturday (July 12, 2025), students and tourists walked done the black-and-white mugshots of Tuol Sleng's galore victims and the preserved instrumentality utilized by Khmer Rouge tormentors.

A acquisition of life

Khuon Sovann mislaid much than 10 relatives to the genocide. The 82-year-old and her older sister prayed for her precocious brother-in-law with offerings of nutrient and h2o successful beforehand of an inscription of victims' names. She said the UNESCO listing was "good" and would assistance sphere the site.

"I americium blessed that what we Cambodians suffered is present recognised by the planetary community," she told AFP. The Cambodian Culture Ministry connected Friday (July 11, 2025) issued a connection saying the inscription acknowledged the kingdom's efforts astatine "transforming a onshore erstwhile ravaged by warfare and genocide... into a spot of bid and dignity."

Norng Chanphal (55), survived S-21 arsenic a kid and returns to the tract each time to merchantability his memoirs and consciousness adjacent to his parent who died there. He said helium was "so glad" and "excited" that Tuol Sleng — a spot of bitter memories wherever galore mislaid everything — had earned UNESCO recognition.

Norng Chanphal hoped the designation would let Tuol Sleng to beryllium everlastingly and service arsenic a reminder "to forestall specified a authorities from happening successful Cambodia again." He said the tract was "a acquisition of beingness for radical astir the satellite to intelligibly recognize the regime," adding UNESCO designation offered immoderate justness to the souls of his parent and different victims of Tuol Sleng.