Fifty Years After Khmer Rouge: Legacy Endures

Fifty years after the Khmer Rouge seized control of Cambodia on April 17, 1975, the regime's legacy—marked by genocide, mass forced labor, and the deaths of up to three million people—continues to shape the country. Survivors still grapple with trauma, displacement, and the loss of family, while many feel justice remains incomplete despite international efforts such as the UN-backed war crimes tribunal. The devastation of Cambodia’s culture and religion during this period continues to underpin the political legitimacy of the current ruling party, which leverages the memory of the Khmer Rouge era to maintain power. The international response, including the creation of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia, established key precedents in global criminal justice. As the events fade from living memory, Cambodia faces ongoing challenges in educating younger generations and reconciling its past. The enduring impact of the Khmer Rouge remains evident in both personal lives and the nation's politics.