Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum: Witness to Cambodia's Dark Past

Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, also known as S-21, offers a harrowing glimpse into one of history's darkest chapters. From 1975 to 1979, this former high school was transformed into a brutal prison and interrogation center by the Khmer Rouge regime. An estimated 20,000 people, deemed enemies of the state, were imprisoned within its walls. Classrooms were converted into tiny cells, and the schoolyard became a place of unimaginable suffering. Prisoners, including men, women, and children, were subjected to torture and forced to confess to fabricated crimes. The museum preserves the evidence of these atrocities, displaying photographs of victims, torture instruments, and the stark living conditions of the prisoners. Today, the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum stands as a memorial to the victims and a place of education and reflection. Visitors can walk through the former prison cells, see the torture devices used by the Khmer Rouge, and view the haunting photographs of those who perished. The museum also houses an archive of documents and artifacts related to the Khmer Rouge regime, providing valuable insights into this tragic period in Cambodian history. The site includes four main buildings that were part of the old Tuol Svay Prey School. Building A holds the large cells in which the bodies of the last victims were discovered. In Building B, cells have been removed to provide space to display photos of the thousands of torture victims. A visit to Tuol Sleng is an emotional and thought-provoking experience. It serves as a reminder of the importance of peace, reconciliation, and the prevention of genocide.