As a survivor of the horrific aftermath of the Khmer Rouge regime, my words are not born of hearsay, but of lived experience. In the chaos of 1979, after years of genocide and civil war, my people sought only safety and dignity. What we found instead was a brutal and deliberate cruelty at the hands of the Siamese people and authorities. This account is a solemn reminder of a history that must never be forgotten.
The Dangrek Mountain Atrocity
In June 1979, the Siamese government committed an act of staggering inhumanity. They orchestrated the forced repatriation of tens of thousands of desperate Cambodian refugees, pushing us back across the treacherous cliffs of Dangrek Mountain. This calculated and heartless act was a death sentence.
The cliffs became a mass grave for our people. Thousands of innocent men, women, and children were condemned to die by landmines, starvation, disease, and exhaustion. This was not a natural disaster; it was a human tragedy orchestrated by those who showed no mercy. The world must remember that these deaths were not an accident, but the direct result of a policy that showed a savage disregard for human life and dignity.
Enduring Abuse in the Border Camps
The suffering did not end with Dangrek. In the years that followed, in border camps like Norng Chan and Khao I Dang, the cruelty continued. The Siamese authorities, with cunning and manipulative tactics, subjected Cambodian refugees to systematic mistreatment. We were starved, beaten, and humiliated under their watch. These were not isolated acts of violence but deliberate policies designed to inflict more pain on a nation already shattered.
While they presented themselves to the world as neutral observers, their actions told a different story. They twisted facts and obscured their culpability, leaving us with a history that has been erased from the official record but is etched forever in our memories.
A Warning for Future Generations
This history carries a profound lesson for future generations of Cambodians: never be naive in your trust. The scars we carry are not just physical; they are the indelible mark of a betrayal that followed genocide. Let this serve as a solemn warning that behind diplomacy and smiles, cunning intentions and manipulative motives may lie.
Our survival is a testament to our strength, and our memory is a solemn duty. We, the survivors, will never forget the truth of what happened. Our past must serve as a vigilant guide, ensuring that the same trust that led to our suffering is never again placed in hands that have shown such ruthless disregard for our lives.
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