Cambodia is a South East Asian country formerly known as Kampuchea, it shares borders with Vietnam, Laos and Thailand. In Cambodia during 1975-1979 a political regime known as the Khmer Rouge took control of the country. During this time it is estimated that around 2 million people perished, over a quarter of the population, from torture and execution or from starvation and untreated illness (Fawthrop & Jarvis, 2005). Although the regime ended with defeat by the Vietnamese over 30 years ago, the effects from this reign of terror continues to have an impact on Cambodia. The countries social coexistence, peace building process and the aftermath of the annihilation of so many of its people has affected the current population make up in terms of age, gender ratios and has left many with mental health problems (Bockers, Stammel & Knaevelsrud, 2011).
There is some international debate as to whether the deaths are considered to be genocide, and why the men responsible for these senseless mass murders have not been brought to justice. The definition of genocide is the deliberate killing of people who belong to a particular racial, political, or cultural group. This definition clearly explains the mass murders undertaken under the direction of pol pot and the Khmer rouge party. It is a very difficult task to prosecute people under genocide charges as they are usually protected by a government of group of followers. Cambodians believe it would somehow diminish the offence if the term “genocide” was not used to explain the mass murders of their people (Fawthrop & Jarvis, 2005).
Khmer Rouge or the People's Revolutionary Party (KPRP) political party was organised by a man named Pol Pot in the Cambodian jungle. Nothing short of evil, the party organised forced labour, executions and left many in famine, suffering spread across the nation, leaving many with nothing.