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February 8, 2007
Choeung Ek (Killing Fields)
History of the Killing fields of Choeung Ek
Before 1975,The Choeung Ek Killing field was an orchard and Chinese cemetery located in Choeung EK commune, Dang Kor District of Phnom Penh Cambodia.
After overthrowing the Khmer Republic Regime during 1975-1979, Ulter Communist Khmer Rouge Regime (UCKRR) converted Choeung EK commune into the most cruel and barbaric killing field on earth. Choeing EK killing field was the second most important part of the larger Security Prison called S-21 center which included the detention, torture and interrogation centre (Tuol Sleng Prison), the first main headquaters.
In 1988, Choeung EK killing field becama a centre showing the brutal and barbaric activities of the UCKRR. At the same time, it was used as a national centre for the consecration of the spirits of over 3 million people who had lost thair lives in the regime. therefore, a memorial charnrl house was built in order to achieve this purpose.
Facts and Figures
1975 UCKRR established the Security Center in country which included:
- Tuol Sleng Prison for torturing, interogating and deprivation (S-21)
- Choeung Ek killing field for murdering prisoners transporting from S-21 and other places of the country. Choeung EK killing field covers over two hectares of land.
1976-1978: about 20 thousand victims including dipomats, foreigners, intellectuals, childen and woman were murded there. Nine of them were Europeans.
Early 1978: Khmer Rouge soldiers and people accused of betrayal were transported to be exterminated with hand bound behind their backs and blindfolded.
January 7, 1979: Cambodia was liberated from the UCKRR and then the mystery of the killing fields including Choeung Ek were discovered.
1979-1980: 129 mass graves were found,86 of which were excavated. 8,985 corpses were exhumed. the largest mass grave was a grave contaning 450 corpses.
1989: The Government of Cambodia turned Choeung Ek killing fields into:
The National Centre for preservation of the evidence of the UCKRR.
The National Centre for recalling and honoring the spirits of the victims throughout the country.
A memorial stupa was constructed as a symbol of the cruel and barbaric homicides committed by the Khmer Rouge Communist Regime.
Present Day: Choeung Ek killing fields have become a historical museum for humankind and one of most visited places in Phnom Penh.
Posted by admins at February 8, 2007 3:31 AM