Post 1: ‘Brother Number Two’ in Cambodian Genocide Dies, Effects of Genocide Still Felt

On August 4, 2019, Nuon Chea passed away at the age of 93. His cause of death is unknown, but no foul play is suspected. One year previous to his death, Nuon Chea was convicted of genocide and crimes against humanity. His leadership in the Khmer Rouge left more than two million Cambodians, about one fifth of the population, dead from 1975 to 1979. Nuon Chea was second to “Brother Number One” Pol Pot, the leader of Cambodia at the time. Pol Pot escaped justice due to his death in 1998. However, when put on trial, Nuon Chea was proud of his past actions to turn Cambodia into a communist state and was convicted for his crimes.

The ideologies of the Cambodian genocide banned religion, music, and money. Doctors, teachers, lawyers, and journalists were murdered. Children were captured and trained to be soldiers for the Khmer Rouge. When Vietnam invaded the capital, Phnom Penh, the official reign of the Khmer Rouge came to an end. The nation that was previously thriving was set back decades because of the violence that ensued. Although many living Cambodians today have little recollection of those years, the effects of the genocide are still felt. Cambodia is now a developing nation with few former Khmer Rouge members still in power.

As the original members of the Khmer Rouge pass away, including Nuon Chea, the political climate of Cambodia continues to change. Over the past year, political fragility has increased slightly. The current prime minister, Hun Sen, has been receiving backlash for his removal of political opposition. Human rights have not been fully re-established, and freedom of the press and speech are consistently under fire.

Arrests have been made of activists against Hun Sen. Police brutality is now common where protests are occurring. The Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) is seen as a threat to Hun Sen’s 34 year reign, the world’s second longest serving prime minister. Hun Sen has been effective in dissolving the CNRP, turning Cambodia into a single-party nation. Many activists continue to leave Cambodia in fear of torture and even death.

Despite denial immediately following the genocide, Cambodia has done its best to recover. The overall stability of Cambodia has especially improved over the past five years. Currently, Cambodia ranks 54th out of 178 countries, according to the Fragile States Index. Additionally, Cambodia’s economy and population have been steadily recovering since the genocide ended. Cambodia celebrated forty years since the end of the Khmer Rouge reign of terror this past January.

Sources: