Cambodia officially unveiled its first textbook about the murderous Khmer Rouge regime, with officials handing out thousands of copies to students and teachers. --PHOTO: AFPMay 20, 2009
AFP
Cambodia unveils first textbook on bloody past
ANG SNUOL (Cambodia) - CAMBODIA on Wednesday officially unveiled its first textbook about the murderous Khmer Rouge regime, with officials handing out thousands of copies to students and teachers.
More than 1,000 pupils joined their teachers for a ceremony at Hun Sen Ang Snuol High School, a few miles from the UN-backed court set up to try top Khmer Rouge leaders who ruled the country in the late 1970s.
'You will all understand the size of the hurt and cruelty that happened in the regime,' said deputy minister of education Tun Sa Im in a speech. 'Before, some young people and even some foreigners did not believe that the genocidal event happened in Cambodia.'
The hardline regime killed up to 2 million people during its 1975-9 rule, and enslaved the Cambodian population in vast collective farms in an attempt to forge a communist utopia.
Very little has been taught up to now about the Khmer Rouge, largely because the topic is sensitive among political groups and other high-profile people who were once involved with the genocidal movement.
'I know some things about the Khmer Rouge from my parents. They told me the regime was very cruel. But I don't know deeply about the regime,' said 18-year-old student Voeun Makara.
But United States ambassador-at-large for war crimes Clint Williamson said its legacy must be remembered.
About 500,000 copies of the textbook will be distributed to more than 1,000 schools across the country.
The ceremony coincided with Cambodia's annual 'Day of Anger' when Khmer Rouge crimes are reenacted at one of the famous killing fields outside the capital.
The UN-backed war crimes tribunal, established in 2006 after nearly a decade of haggling, is currently trying former prison chief Kaing Guek Eav, alias Duch. He is one of five top surviving Khmer Rouge leaders being held for trial on charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes.
ANG SNUOL (Cambodia) - CAMBODIA on Wednesday officially unveiled its first textbook about the murderous Khmer Rouge regime, with officials handing out thousands of copies to students and teachers.
More than 1,000 pupils joined their teachers for a ceremony at Hun Sen Ang Snuol High School, a few miles from the UN-backed court set up to try top Khmer Rouge leaders who ruled the country in the late 1970s.
'You will all understand the size of the hurt and cruelty that happened in the regime,' said deputy minister of education Tun Sa Im in a speech. 'Before, some young people and even some foreigners did not believe that the genocidal event happened in Cambodia.'
The hardline regime killed up to 2 million people during its 1975-9 rule, and enslaved the Cambodian population in vast collective farms in an attempt to forge a communist utopia.
Very little has been taught up to now about the Khmer Rouge, largely because the topic is sensitive among political groups and other high-profile people who were once involved with the genocidal movement.
'I know some things about the Khmer Rouge from my parents. They told me the regime was very cruel. But I don't know deeply about the regime,' said 18-year-old student Voeun Makara.
But United States ambassador-at-large for war crimes Clint Williamson said its legacy must be remembered.
About 500,000 copies of the textbook will be distributed to more than 1,000 schools across the country.
The ceremony coincided with Cambodia's annual 'Day of Anger' when Khmer Rouge crimes are reenacted at one of the famous killing fields outside the capital.
The UN-backed war crimes tribunal, established in 2006 after nearly a decade of haggling, is currently trying former prison chief Kaing Guek Eav, alias Duch. He is one of five top surviving Khmer Rouge leaders being held for trial on charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes.
7 comments:
How much suffer has Hun Sen Inflict on Khmer. Forget about the past for a moment, Past was over. Khmer should deal with the past when it's able.
Hun Sen never care about khmer. He is not khmer leader.
Hun Xen was the khmer rouge soldier!!Hewas the khmer's murder!!!
All the peopleand the students have to know about this!!!!
One the khmer rouge it self try to dust it self away
From the khmer rouge dirt ,but in realities the khmer rouge
Hun Sen has never become to be real khmer because Hun Sen head as replaced
While he trained to kill khmer for you in Vietnam
Since the overwhelming major of YOU were Khmer Rouge-era victims and have undergone through enormous post-traumatic stress disorder (ironically, some of you manage to write books and prifited) ,and, therefore, everyone should not dwell in the past, because it will only bring bad memory to you, your families, and friends. The history should not be brought up again--EVER.
PPU
What the fuck are you talking about hair brain 6:36PM? How can we live like you Viet do not know who were your ancestors!
If you are not remember of bad thing some day you would repeat it against!
We Cambodian not all stupid like ah Hun Xen to accept your motherfucker PhD! You mother fucker goat face son of ah Ho Chi Minh only good in evil way!
May lightning strike bad person like you 6"36PM
My Dear PPU or 6;36 pm, I am sure you are KHMER at very young age , wondering your ancestors, family and relatives were being tortured by KHMER ROUGES and as a Survivor of our own KING SIHANOUK Killing Fields , all the MERIT (BONN KOSAL) that I have done meritly offer to your above folks that lost their lives innocently to SIHANOUK and POL POT and I personally have a kind heart voluntarily offer these BONN KOSDAL for you to have a bright future unlike me lost eveything along with your above ancestors except I still alive so I could tell the real HISTORY to the young generetion like YOU for your ancestors who did not even have a slim chance to tell the world how they had been treated like animals .
Wish the Best
One of the Survivors of our own King SIHANOUK Killing Fields
10:54 AM: You're very emotional. You REALLY need help.
6:56 AM: Of course, now is the time to find some solace in each other, right, particularly during these tumultuous times. What's your take on that, Mr./Mrs. wiseperson.
PPU
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