Biography of Cambodian Genocide Victims

Under the Khmer Rouge regime from 1975 to 1979, Cambodia’s gentle fields and ancient temples became places of profound sorrow. Led by Pol Pot, the government emptied cities and forced millions into rural labor, seeking a new society. Teachers, doctors, artists, monks, and ordinary families—nearly two million souls, a quarter of the population—passed amid hardship, illness, and loss. Places like Tuol Sleng and Choeung Ek, now peaceful memorials, hold quiet reminders of lives cut short. Survivors carried forward stories of resilience and quiet acts of kindness. The Extraordinary Chambers and annual Day of Remembrance honor their memory, while Cambodia rebuilds with vibrant culture and hope. Their light continues to guide the world toward healing and the prevention of such darkness.