Virtual Memorial Testimonies

The Khmer Rouge ruled a totalitarian state in which citizens had essentially no rights – they abolished civil and political rights, private property, money, religious practices, minority languages, and foreign clothing. Citizens could be detained for the slightest offenses, and the government set up vast prisons where people were held, tortured, and executed. Though many eyewitnesses to the Cambodian genocide have passed away, the first-hand testimonies recorded in the framework of the “Virtual Memorial” project give a human voice to the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge. Interviewees come from all ethnic groups (Khmer, Cham, Vietnamese and Indigenous Peoples). We ensure that our interviews are conducted according to a strong and transparent ethical framework, and that survivors participate through a desire to tell their story and with informed consent. Any legal or safety concerns that may be associated with a survivor telling his/her story are discussed and assessed prior to any interview taking place.

Peou Lim's Testimony
“Like all city dwellers, the Khmer Rouge forced me to leave Phnom Penh in April 1975. I saw many dead bodies on the way to the labour camps. If we didn’t do what the soldiers said they would have killed us.”
Ear Kimsrun's Testimony
“I had four siblings, two died during the Pol Pot regime. I was forcibly married. I don't know how to express my hunger in Khmer Rouge times. I prayed every day that I could get more food.”
Chouk Vanny's Testimony
“The Khmer Rouge hated us Cham Muslims. Soldiers cut my hair with a meat cleaver. We were not allowed to cry, even if we were abused. Under Pol Pot we were treated worse than dogs.”
Hong Savath's Testimony
“My parents had just been killed. I was very young. The cadres wanted to rape me. They took me into nearby bushes. I got pregnant. Later on, my son and I faced discrimination by other villagers.”
Kham Nyvann's Testimony
"I was 13 years old the hard times began. I want to cry when I talk about the Khmer Rouge nightmare. The soldiers hurt me, they wanted to kill my family. If we didn’t work hard, they would beat us."
Khiev Sareth's Testimony
“I fought in the Civil War, from 1973. When the Khmer Rouge came to power, it was a nightmare. Even though I was very ill I had to work hard. Many people around us died. It still haunts me now.”
Khan Sophan's Testimony
“We were all terrified of the Khmer Rouge regime. My family were all separated. I had 3 sisters and 2 brothers. Up until now, I don’t know where the cadres took my parents and my siblings.”
Kong Kirmsan's Testimony
“The Khmer Rouge interrogated me and accused me of being a traitor. Soldiers tortured me until I lost my voice. They used a gun and beat me. I lost consciousness for two nights.”
Sun Touch's Testimony
“One day I was summoned by the KR leadership. I thought I was about to die. The officer said: ‘I think your liver would be delicious.’ I replied: ‘If you keep killing people, there won't be anybody left.”
Ly Sarith's Testimony
“The Khmer Rouge forced people to marry. Even if they didn’t love each other. Couples were assigned by the leaders. They could not refuse. We were married without a formal ceremony.“
Bit Lon's Testimony
“The KR occupied my village. The Americans bombed us. We built bunkers to hide in. We couldn’t walk anywhere. There was shooting all around us. Many people died. I saw it with my own eyes.”
Soum Bounchhoeun's Testimony
“The Khmer Rouge killed people without reason. They just did whatever they wanted. My father was arrested. But he escaped and ran away. He ran for 3km before he was shot to death.”