toul sleng genocide museum

Toul Sleng Genocide Museum was formerly Khmer Rouge S-21 prison. S-21 stands for "Security Office 21", was Angkar's premier security institution specifically designed for the interrogation and extermination of anti-Angkar elements. S-21 was a high school before all classrooms of the school were converted into prison cells. All windows were enclosed by iron bars and covered with tangled barbed wire to prevent possible escape by prisoners. The victims in the prison were taken from all parts of the country and from all walks of life. They were different nationalities but the vast majority were Cambodians. The civilians prisoners composed of workers, farmers, engineers, technicians, intellectuals, professors, teachers, students and even minsters and diplomats. The prisoners were kept in their respective small cells and shackled with chains fixed to the walls or the concrete floors. It was very disturbing when we visited this place. You have to just walk through the place without stopping to think as it would be too overwhelming. The cruelty and inhumanity of Khmer Rouge is unbelievable and you would think it's impossible for a human being to commit such war crimes and genocide against their own people.