• Cambodia's Khmer Rouge sites have been added to UNESCO's World Heritage List.
• The sites include the Tuol Sleng prison, Choeung Ek killing fields, and M-13 prison.
• This recognition coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Khmer Rouge's rise to power.
• The Cambodian government emphasizes peace and reflection as central themes.
• This is Cambodia's fifth World Heritage listing and its first modern-era nomination.

Three significant sites related to the Khmer Rouge regime have been officially recognized by UNESCO, marking a pivotal moment for Cambodia. The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, the Choeung Ek killing fields, and the M-13 prison have been inscribed to the UNESCO World Heritage List during the agency's 47th session in Paris, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the rise of the Khmer Rouge in 1975. This regime was responsible for the deaths of an estimated 1.7 million to 2.2 million Cambodians during its brutal four-year reign from 1975 to 1979, according to South China Morning Post, Al Jazeera, and Reuters.

The sites were recognized not only for their historical significance but also for their transformation into memorials for peace and reconciliation. The inscription underscores Cambodia's commitment to acknowledge its past while educating future generations about the atrocities committed during that period. The Tuol Sleng prison, formerly known as S-21, is now a genocide museum that housed approximately 15,000 prisoners who were tortured, and it serves as a poignant space for commemoration today, as reported by South China Morning Post and Reuters.

The Cambodian government has emphasized that this recognition serves as "a lasting reminder that peace must always be defended." Prime Minister Hun Manet has encouraged citizens to celebrate this momentous inscription through national ceremonies. “From the darkest chapters of history, we can draw strength to build a better future for humanity,” he stated in a video message, according to Al Jazeera and Reuters.

The M-13 prison site, located in Kampong Chhnang province, was a key location during the early years of Khmer Rouge rule where various torture methods were developed and tested. Today, it stands as a reminder of the harsh realities faced by Cambodians. The addition of these sites to the UNESCO list marks Cambodia's fifth World Heritage listing and represents a significant acknowledgment of the country's modern history, according to Al Jazeera, Reuters, and South China Morning Post.