Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum - Phnom Penh
© February 16 2007, Uncornered Market
In contrast to its sunshine and smiles, Cambodia's recent history with the Khmer Rouge is dark and tragic.
Tuol Sleng, originally a high school in downtown Phnom Penh, was transformed into a prison by the Khmer Rouge between 1975-1979. It's estimated that 20,000 people were imprisoned here; only a handful survived. The Khmer Rouge kept detailed documentation about its prisoners, including photographs like the ones you see here.
Although much smaller, Tuol Sleng reminded us of our visit to Auschwitz in Poland years ago. Places like these are not particularly enjoyable to visit, but are necessary to appreciate a country's historical context.
Read more about Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
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