17. The Khmer Rouge and Cambodian Genocide
The Khmer Rouge regime, led by Pol Pot, seized control of Cambodia in 1975 and unleashed one of the twentieth century’s most harrowing genocides. Over four years, approximately two million people—nearly a quarter of the population—perished from forced labor, starvation, and execution. The horrors of this era left deep scars, shaping Cambodia’s national identity and prompting global calls for justice and remembrance. Efforts to prosecute those responsible continue today, underscoring the importance of confronting atrocities to prevent future tragedies.
