In 1980 the remains of 8,985 men, women and children were exhumed at the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek. That figure is just a portion of the estimated 16,000 human beings who were detained and tortured at Tuol Sleng S-21, and then murdered and buried in mass graves at Choeung Ek. Victims were often bludgeoned to death to save bullets, beheaded or buried alive. Fragments of bone and clothing are still strewn about the graves that dot Choeung Ek, a testament to how fresh the wounds still are in...
more »

In 1980 the remains of 8,985 men, women and children were exhumed at the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek. That figure is just a portion of the estimated 16,000 human beings who were detained and tortured at Tuol Sleng S-21, and then murdered and buried in mass graves at Choeung Ek. Victims were often bludgeoned to death to save bullets, beheaded or buried alive. Fragments of bone and clothing are still strewn about the graves that dot Choeung Ek, a testament to how fresh the wounds still are in Cambodia today. Like the Nazis, the Khmers Rouges meticulously documented their activities at S-21. Detainees were photographed when they arrived, and often after they had been tortured. During the 3 years, 8 months and 21 days of Khmers Rouges rule, it is estimated that 2 million people perished, nearly one third of Cambodia's population. Their story must be told.

These images are from the Tuol Sleng S-21 Museum of Genocide and from the Killing Fields in Phnom Penh.
« less