Remembering 17 April 1975 in Cambodia

By: Sarita S.

When we talked about Khmer Rouge, it reminds people about the pain that Cambodians suffered, the death of millions of people, and the cruelty of Pol Pot and his people which they called “Angka”. This darkest period of Cambodia's history had left the most painful wound and the deepest scar on Cambodian’s hearts. Thanks to 7 January 1979, we finally left the dark and step into the light of peace. That is the reason why 7 January is always remembered by Cambodian people. 



However, let’s take a minute to think about when and how all these first started. 17 April 1975, the most remarkable day when joy suddenly turned into sorrow. The day that many Cambodians thought they were finally gotten out of civil wars, was the day that they were exiled from their home to province and the Khmer Rouge Regime started. Therefore, we have to make the future generations of Cambodia remember not only how this tragic period ended but also how it began.

First, education. Education is the only way to reach out to a wide range of people from a young age. Therefore, the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports should take this opportunity to emphasize more on Pol Pot Regime, especially on what happened on 17 April 1975 when millions of people are exiled from their home, left their property behind, and went to the province by force. Everything should be taught in detail about how much people had suffered along the road and what happened afterward so that students can remember what 17 April 1975 had done to their nation, and avoid that from happening again.

Second, mourning. During the tragic period which lasted for 3 years 8 months 20 days, around 2 million people died of starvation, disease, overwork, torture, and execution. 17 April should be marked on the Calendar as national mourning day in order to remind the future generation how tragic it was, to make them remember the day when tears and death began, and to urge them to share their deepest condolence to the victims of Khmer Rouge Regime.

Last but not least, the media. On every 17 April, every media channel should also mourn for the day and broadcast about Khmer Rouge. Instead of entertainment, music, concert, movie, and other TV shows, telecommunication companies should broadcast Khmer Rouge documentaries to let viewers know about what happened during that regime.

In short, to make the future generation of Cambodia knows about the forced transfer of Phnom Penh residence on 17^th April 1975, we should do it through education, mark it as mourning day, and broadcast it on media. 17^th April, the time when parents are separated from children, husbands are separated from wives, and family is forced to leave home, should be remembered by Cambodians forever.