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Cambodia — The Failure of Never Again
World Genocide Commemoration Day
What I remember most are the eyes, not the glass cases filled to the ceiling with bones: one case for all of the skulls, another for limbs, but the eyes of the victims. At Tuol Sleng in Phnom Penh, they’ve maintained and preserved the rooms and devices of this place, the most notorious torture prison in Cambodia under the Khmer Rouge. The Khmer Rouge systematically tortured and exterminated those they considered to be “political” opponents, 25% of the population (1.5–2 million) over three years in the 1970's.
The items on display are rusted now, but this does not diminish their weight. The brutality of what was done in this place shines through clearly. Also on display are black and white photographs that were taken of every man, woman and child (yes, children) brought to this site. Often, individuals wear numbers. They stare straight ahead at the camera. Or, as it felt to me, they stare at you, the visitor, the tourist, the community member, the loved one (perhaps). Those eyes. One woman, in particular, stood out, defiance clear in her eyes. She undoubtedly knew the terror and horror that awaited her at this site, had likely already faced more loss and brutality than any one person should ever be expected to bear, and yet still, her eyes speak volumes, make clear her resistance to the Khmer Rouge.
