via CAAI
2011-01-07
Thousands of survivors of Cambodia's Khmer Rouge "Killing Fields" marked the 32nd anniversary of the fall of the ultra-Maoist regime on Friday.
About 10,000 supporters attended a rally organized by the ruling Cambodian People's Party, known as the CPP.
Traditional Khmer dancers and drummers performed in front of senior CPP officials, genocide survivors and their relatives.
[Chea Sim, CPP President]:
"We mark January 7 to always remember the crimes committed by the Khmer Rouge regime and the historical importance of victory day on January 7, and to pay deep respects and thanks to the revolutionary army of Cambodia and the Vietnamese army which volunteered."
January 7, 1979 also marks the start of a 10-year occupation of the country by the Vietnamese, which followed four years of Khmer Rouge rule – a disastrous period in which millions were forced to relocate to the countryside.
Around 1.7 million people died due to starvation, overwork or executions.
The Khmer Rouge continued to exist until 1999, by which time most of its leaders had died, surrendered or had been captured.
The trials of four senior leaders are expected to start early in 2011.
No comments:
Post a Comment