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Article: Cambodia: remembering the killing fields: Paul Bellamy examines the bloody recent history of Cambodia and warns that it faces an uncertain future.
- Article from:
- New Zealand International Review
- Article date:
- March 1, 2005
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2005 New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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On 17 April 2005 it will be 30 years since the Khmer Rouge seized power in Cambodia. With the 1975 fall of Phnom Penh, the Cambodian capital, one of modern history's most brutal and terrifying regimes, came to power. Its rule lasted only three years, eight months and 20 days. However, the regime would leave chilling reminders of its atrocities in the form of the killing fields, areas where mass executions of men, women, and children took place.
On coming to power, the Khmer Rouge implemented a radical and brutal policy aimed at restructuring society. Cambodia was renamed Democratic Kampuchea, and the advent of Khmer Rouge rule was proclaimed 'Year Zero'. City ...