A Look at the Day the Khmer Rouge Took Power

Fall of Phnom Penh (Photo: Roland Neveu)

A Khmer Rouge rebel frisks a civilian in downtown Phnom Penh hours after the rebel forces led by Pol Pot took control of the Cambodian capital April 17, 1975. (Photo: AP)

Kong Sothanarith, VOA Khmer

Phnom Penh Tuesday, 19 April 2011

“Any activity to remember this day is necessary ... And that’s why the [tribunal] is operational under its mission here to bring those responsible to trial.” (sic!)

The Documentation Center of Cambodia is preparing a permanent exhibition of photographs marking the day the Khmer Rouge took over Phnom Penh and began their devastating four-year rule 36 years ago.

Chhang Youk, director of the center, said the exhibition, which opens next Monday, is to remind people of the beginning of the Khmer Rouge atrocities.

The exhibition showcases 17 rare photographs taken by American photographer Al Rockoff and French photographer Roland Neveu.

The center receives between 600 and 800 visitors each month, Chhang Youk said, and the exhibit is meant to be a discussion point that provides a look back at Phnom Penh.