23/09/2026
“My elder brother was forced by the Khmer Rouge to marry against his will, despite his repeated refusal.”
This was the testimony of Mr. Thoek Bunroeun, a Civil Party from Romlech Village, Romlech Commune, Bakan District, Pursat Province, during an intergenerational dialogue held at the ECCC Resource Centre on Wednesday, 23 September 2026.
During the dialogue, Mr. Thoek Bunroeun shared with approximately 200 students from Hun Sen Pea Reang High School in Prey Veng Province his experiences and the hardships endured by his family under the Khmer Rouge regime.
Mr. Kob Man, a Cham Muslim Civil Party, also recounted the suffering he experienced during the Democratic Kampuchea regime. He explained that the Khmer Rouge forced him and other Cham Muslims to eat pork and other types of meat that were prohibited by their religious beliefs and practices. He added that, because of severe food shortages, he sometimes had to eat rice husks instead of rice.
The intergenerational dialogue provided students and younger generations with an opportunity to hear directly from those who lived through this difficult period in history. By sharing their personal experiences, the Civil Parties helped promote awareness among younger generations about the importance of historical remembrance, peace, justice, and respect for human rights.