The Khmer Rouge And The Cambodian Genocide - 1155 Words

Sisowath Doung Chanto was born in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and lost his life to the Cambodian Genocide, an unfortunate event that caused the death of around one and a half million people (Leslie 6). In Cambodia, a population of around seven million dropped down to around five million from the genocide as well as the accompanying famine, rebellion, and war. In 1975-1979, an infamous communist regime, called the Khmer Rouge, headed by Pol Pot, brutally killed twenty five percent of Cambodia’s original population. The Khmer Rouge regime savagely stole resources and countless skilled Cambodians and created immense suffering for survivors. Sisowath is only one of the innumerable individuals who endured a struggle for survival and perished during†¦show more content†¦Chanto was in the category of the old generation, so he attempted to remain at home along with his family. This led to the Khmer Rouge’s forcible removal of Chanto from his home where he was physically abu sed and sentenced to death instead of going to the labor camps, which were known for their abhorrent conditions. Chanto was seized from his family’s home by the Khmer Rouge, restrained, and thrown with a few other men into a decrepit church. During his final days, he was starved and subjected to beatings from his brutal captors who made him pay for his bravery in standing up to Pol Pot’s soldiers. The viciousness of Chanto’s treatment at the hands of Khmer Rouge officials can be summarized in one sentence from his daughter, which she is quoted as saying after her mother had tracked down his captors in the years after the massacre. She asserted that the guards had seen him with, or inflicted upon him these injuries, as can be assumed, without reason or provocation other than their power and his helplessness. As she said, â€Å"[Chanto had received] bruises from the beating. His back and ribs were broken by the constant beating by the young Khmer Rouge Cadres. The beating was so severe that it paralyzed his speech and consciousness. By this time, he was just lying on the flo or, unable to move or ask for mercy’’(Chanto 4). Two days after arrival, and succeeding many hours ofShow MoreRelatedThe Cambodian Genocide And The Khmer Rouge1951 Words   |  8 Pages The Cambodian genocide happened between 1975 and 1979 in the country of Cambodia. Almost 2 million Cambodians, Chinese, Vietnamese, Buddhist, Cham, intellectuals, anyone with above a 7th grade education, and western influenced-people were systematically killed during the genocide. Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge started the genocide on April 17th, 1975 when they evacuated the city of Phnom Penh along with other major cities and forced people into the countryside where their work camps were. Even thoughRead MorePol Pot, The Khmer Rouge, and Cambodian Genocide Essay1143 Words   |  5 PagesThe Communist Party of Kampuchea, also known as the Khmer Rouge, took control of Cambodia on April 17, 1975, which lasted until January 1979. For their three-year, eight-month, and twenty-one day rule of Cambodia, the Khmer Rouge committed some of the most heinous crimes in current history. The main leader who orchestrated these crimes was a man named Pol Pot. In 1962, Pol Pot had become the coordinato r of the Cambodian Communist Party. The Prince of Cambodia, Norodom Sihanouk, did not approve ofRead MoreThe Genocide Of The Cambodian Genocide1564 Words   |  7 PagesMerriam-Webster Dictionary, genocide is defined as â€Å" the deliberate killing of people who belong to a particular racial, political or cultural group.† When most people think of the word genocide, often the Holocaust comes to mind. 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During the Vietnam WarRead MoreEssay On Khmer Rouge1326 Words   |  6 PagesIn between 1975-1979 during the Khmer Rouge’s reign in Cambodia, a total of roughly 2 million people were killed.   A significant amount of these people were victims of execution enforced by the regime (Cambodia’s Brutal Khmer Rouge Regime). By killing this amount of people in such a short period of time, millions of families were forced into a state of emotional turmoil and grievance without some loved ones alive. Also, the current population suffered an immediate blow with the loss of all of these