Cambodia: The Cruel Reality

​​Skulls at Choeung Ek Killing Field 

Hush, don't tell.

Pol Pot was the leader of Khmer Rouge from 1963-1997. From 1976-1979, he became the prime minister of the Democratic Kampuchea, a controlled state that defeated the Khmer Republic of Lon Nol in 1975 at the time. Pol Pot ruled under a totalitarian dictatorship, who was responsible for the execution and death of more than 3 millions in the span of 4 years, Cheoung Ek (image above) was an orchard converted into a killing field, where over one million people between 1975- 1979 were executed. Victims include former political leaders, scholars, doctors and their family as well as civilians whom disagreed with Khmer Rouge's view.  After the fall of the Khmer Rouge regime and Pol Pot, mass graves containing 8,895 bodies were discovered.here. From evidence of such killing field, it is most likely that many of the victims were tortured before suffering a tragic death. The mass killing and cruelty of Khmer Rouge were sometimes compared to the brutality of Nazi's concentration camps.

(Scroll down to see what I have learnt through this trip.) 

Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever. (Ecclesiastes 1:4) ​

Where was the freedom of speech?

Where was the freedom of speech?

Weapons of War

I visited Cambodia a few years ago, before heading to university. And reflecting on this short trip, the lessons I have learnt from it has really impacted on how I have been living out my life, throughout my university days and in the present. From this trip to Cambodia, I have learnt that hate does not cover over another act of hatred, but magnify injustice and hate even more. Violence cannot solve an act or acts of violence, but love, patience and forgiveness can. When you treat a neighbour with contempt, you will most likely receive something similar in return. Cruelty only intensify a problem even more and it is a bitter escape. Love on the other hand is the hardest thing to do on earth. To forgive those that have wronged you, to love and accept those with shortcomings, to look towards the future instead of the past. Reflecting now, perhaps this trip has impacted me more than I have been aware of. But I am glad that I can see it more clearly now, that I do not believe in violence but love and forgiveness. That the world needs peace more than war. 

'Love your neighbour as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:31) ​