“I witnessed firsthand the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge, who took my family away and brutally killed them.” — Ms. Phai Ne
On Tuesday, 27 October 2026, two Civil Parties shared their experiences and painful memories of living under the Democratic Kampuchea regime with approximately 200 students from Preah Norodom Ranariddh High School in Teuk Chhou District, Kampot Province, during an intergenerational dialogue held at the ECCC Resource Centre.
The two Civil Parties, Mr. Rum Koeun and Ms. Phai Ne, are from Thma Teuk Dach Village, Kouk Kong Kaeut Commune, Kanhchriech District, Prey Veng Province. They recounted their personal experiences and the tragedies they and their families endured under the Khmer Rouge regime, as well as the lasting consequences of atrocities that have left profound pain in their lives.
Speaking to the students, who listened attentively, Ms. Phai Ne recalled the painful events she had witnessed: “I witnessed firsthand the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge, who took my family away and brutally killed them.” Her account illustrated the tragedies experienced by Cambodians under the Democratic Kampuchea regime and the pain that remains deeply etched in survivors’ memories.
By sharing their personal experiences, the Civil Parties helped raise awareness of the importance of preserving historical memory, understanding the past, maintaining peace, promoting justice, and respecting human rights. Their accounts offer valuable lessons for younger generations and contribute to efforts to prevent such tragedies from happening again.