PHNOM PENH, May 20, 2024 — Prime Minister Hun Manet of Cambodia has declared the prevention of genocide a principal priority for the Royal Government. His statement came during the opening ceremony of the First Conference on "The Future of Cambodia Without Genocide," which coincided with the National Day of Remembrance.
The event was held at the Army Command, which serves as the administrative office of the Khmer Rouge Tribunal. In his address, Prime Minister Hun Manet emphasized that while remembering the Khmer Rouge genocide is a source of national trauma, it also reinforces Cambodia's commitment to safeguarding society and future generations from similar atrocities. “This is also our obligation to ensure that such atrocity acts do not occur again in other countries,” he added.
Prime Minister Hun Manet highlighted the need for a unified understanding of national history to prevent the manipulation of historical narratives for political gain. He referenced significant events such as the national liberation on January 7, 1979, the signing of the Paris Peace Agreement on October 23, 1991, and the complete peace achieved through the Win-Win policy initiated by Hun Sen on December 29, 1998. He stressed that these milestones are essential for upholding the justice of the victims and promoting national unity.
“The future of a country depends on its willingness to face the past. But to do so, the nation must have a consensus on the interpretation of its past and key historical events related to the country’s war and peace,” Hun Manet said. He also noted that seeking internationally recognized justice is an effective way to create a shared history of genocide that transcends political affiliations.
Moreover, the Cambodian Premier underscored the importance of genocide education as a preventive mechanism and the necessity of maintaining peace at all costs.
During the conference, Hun Manet expressed gratitude to the United Nations and allied nations for their technical and financial support, which contributed to the success of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia, also known as the Khmer Rouge Tribunal.
