23, September 2026

Crimes of the Khmer Rouge regime in Democratic Kampuchea (1975-1979): mechanisms of extermination, forced migrations and problem of dealing with the past

VOLUME-10; ISSUE-9; SEPT-2026

Author(s): Karolina Baraniak

Authors Affiliations:

independent researcher, Poland

DOIs:10.2017/IJRCS/202609001     |     Paper ID: IJRCS202609001


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This article analyzes the criminal activities of the Khmer Rouge during the existence of Democratic Kampuchea (1975–1979). It presents the mechanisms of extermination, repression against ethnic and religious minorities, the persecution of educated individuals, and the functioning of the prison system, with particular emphasis on S-21 (Tuol Sleng). Internal and external forced migrations are also discussed, including the forced displacement of urban residents to rural areas and the flight of refugees to neighboring countries. The final section addresses the issue of accountability for atrocities and the blurring of the line between victim and perpetrator in post-genocidal society. The analysis indicates that Khmer Rouge terror combined direct violence with administrative population control, forced labor, famine, and displacement, and its consequences remain visible in post-war processes of memory, reconciliation, and transitional justice.

Khmer Rouge, Democratic Kampuchea, Tuol Sleng, genocide, forced migration, urbicide, torture

Karolina Baraniak (2026); Crimes of the Khmer Rouge regime in Democratic Kampuchea (1975–1979): mechanisms of extermination, forced migrations, and problem of dealing with the past, International Journal of Research Culture Society,    ISSN(O): 2456-6683,  Volume – 10,   Issue –  9,  Available on – https://ijrcs.org/

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Yoon, C. (n.d.). The long-run impact of forced migration: Evidence from the killing fields in Cambodia. Kellogg School of Management, https://kellogg.nd.edu/news/long-run-impact-forced-migration-evidence-killing-fields-cambodia

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