Virtual Memorial Testimonies

The Khmer Rouge persecuted the educated — such as doctors, lawyers, and current or former military and police. Christian, Buddhist, Muslim and ethnic Vietnamese citizens were specifically targeted. Though many eyewitnesses to the Cambodian genocide have passed away, these firsthand testimonies give a human voice to the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge. The interviews were conducted in Phnom Penh, in Cambodian language. They were recorded on video in the year 2019. Interviewees come from different ethnic groups: Khmer, Cham, Vietnamese and Indigenous Peoples.

Peou Lim's Testimony
Like all city dwellers, the Khmer Rouge forced me to leave the capital Phnom Penh in April 1975. I saw many dead bodies on the way to the labour camps. If we didn't do what they said they would kill us.
Ear Kimsrun's Testimony
I had four siblings, two died during the Khmer Rouge 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 Chams (Muslims). Soldiers cut my hair with a meat cleaver. We were not allowed to cry, even if we were abused. We were yelled at and treated worse than dogs.
Hong Savath's Testimony
My father belonged to an indigenous group (Phnong), which supported Pol Pot. The Khmer Rouge taught us how to kill ‘enemies of the state’. If I would not have killed others, they would have killed me.
Kham Nyvann's Testimony
Khmer Rouge soldiers defeated Lon Nol in 1975. They seized Phnom Penh and evacuated its people. Families were broken up. The Khmer Rouge hated educated people or city dwellers. They killed them.
Khiev Sareth's Testimony
I fought in the Civil War, from 1973. When the Khmer Rouge came to power, we experienced a nightmare. Even though I was very ill I had to work hard. Many people around us died. The past still haunts me know.
Khan Sophan's Testimony
My eldest brother was a Khmer Rouge soldier. That did not prevent the death of my sister. I saw how my father was tied up and taken away. Back then, I knew he would never come back.
Kong Kirmsan's Testimony
When The Khmer Rouge came to power, everybody was forced to work in the rice fields. I was separated from my mother; I became a Khmer Rouge soldier. I wore my uniform until 1979.
Sun Touch's Testimony
My heart burns whenever I think about the Pol Pot regime. I almost lost my whole family. My niece and nephew were killed like animals. My uncle was a Muslim. He was starved to death because of his religion.