The Cambodian genocide was under the control of the Khmer Rouge and led by Pol Pot from 1975 through 1979. It was estimated that over 2 million people lost their lives during the course of the genocide. While this was taking place there was no support from the international community.
The Khmer Rouge were excessively brutal towards the people of Phnom Penh. During this time all of the people’s basic rights were removed. The regime didn’t allow anyone to gather and hold conversations. Even if a small group of people stood and talked, they would be accused of being enemies. These people were either arrested or even executed.
They targeted anyone and everyone who was educated. This included teachers, doctors, artists, the wealthy, and ethnic
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Children and babies were never exempt from any work or cruelty. The Khmer Rouge took advantage of children and used them as spies.
The Khmer Rouge forced kids to become their personal “child soldiers”. These children were used as tools by the Khmer Rouge. This is because the kids were threatened, so they would always follow any directions given without hesitating. These methods were used to the extent where kids were forced to shoot their own parents, along with many of their other family members. Anyone who was involved with Lon Nol’s regime or military was killed immediately. At this time no evidence was needed for someone to be sent to prison. Many people even made up confession stories, hoping that it would help them to escape the torture.
It was stated that in the beginning executions were unnecessary no matter the circumstances. They thought that starvation could help get rid of any populations that weren't needed. But as more people got sent to prison, the Khmer Rouge started using killing fields. Hundreds of these fields were placed all over Cambodia. The killing fields were used for the mass executions of people who could no longer work or were seen as unnecessary. It was estimated that over million people were killed at these