I went to the 'Killing fields' and the Khmer Rouge prison in the capital Phnom Penh today, Amanda decided to sit this one out. Probably a good idea, it proved to be as brutal and shocking as imagined. The fact that people can commit such heinous crimes against their own kind is beyond forgiveness.
The Cheong Ek Genocidal centre (Killing fields) was made up of several deep indentations in the ground which were once filled with dead bodies. 20,000 people were transported to this specific location and brutally executed in the most horrific manner. Every rainy season they continue to gather up bone fragments and clothing as it makes its way to the surface. A memorial towers above the trees in the centre of the field, in it are the remains of those victims that have been excavated, a harsh reminder in the hope to avoid another such time.
You can't help but feel deep sadness for the souls that were left in this place and immense anger at those that were directly and indirectly responsible for these atrocities against humanity.
Before the prisoners were sent to their deaths, they were held at the Toul Sleng prison (S21). This was my next stop. Here prisoners were the victims of awful treatment by the Khmer Rouge cadres. Often prisoners were left unaware of their crimes and forced to admit to ridiculous accusations after days of pain. Victims included men, women and children. Only a few survivors have lived to tell of their time in the prisons.
In 1975, Cambodia was made up of 8 million people. In 1979, only 5 million remained!
Our time in Cambodia has presented us with historical beauty, cultural intrigue and deep sadness.
May the sadness and fear never be repeated.
The Cheong Ek Genocidal centre (Killing fields) was made up of several deep indentations in the ground which were once filled with dead bodies. 20,000 people were transported to this specific location and brutally executed in the most horrific manner. Every rainy season they continue to gather up bone fragments and clothing as it makes its way to the surface. A memorial towers above the trees in the centre of the field, in it are the remains of those victims that have been excavated, a harsh reminder in the hope to avoid another such time.
You can't help but feel deep sadness for the souls that were left in this place and immense anger at those that were directly and indirectly responsible for these atrocities against humanity.
Before the prisoners were sent to their deaths, they were held at the Toul Sleng prison (S21). This was my next stop. Here prisoners were the victims of awful treatment by the Khmer Rouge cadres. Often prisoners were left unaware of their crimes and forced to admit to ridiculous accusations after days of pain. Victims included men, women and children. Only a few survivors have lived to tell of their time in the prisons.
In 1975, Cambodia was made up of 8 million people. In 1979, only 5 million remained!
Our time in Cambodia has presented us with historical beauty, cultural intrigue and deep sadness.
May the sadness and fear never be repeated.
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