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Circular on
Preservation of remains of the
victims of the genocide
committed during the regime of
Democratic Kampuchea (1975-1978),
and preparation of Anlong Veng to
become a region for historical tourism
Following the liberation of 7 January 1979, numerous graves were left
behind throughout the entire territory of Cambodia as physical testimony of the
crimes committed against the innocent Cambodian people by the genocidal Pol Pot
regime. Right away, the authorities
and citizens made efforts to take the remains of the victims and to preserve
them carefully, some in stupas, and some in other forms of appropriate memorial.
However, the government has observed that since that time these memorials have
not been properly maintained.
In order to preserve the remains as
evidence of these historic crimes and as the basis for remembrance and education
by the Cambodian people as a whole, especially future generations, of the
painful and terrible history brought about by the Democratic Kampuchea regime
against the people and territory of Cambodia during the period 1975-1978,
lasting 3 years, 8 months and 20 days, and especially to preserve and prepare
the Anlong Veng region to become a historical museum for national and
international tourists in the future, the government issue the following
directives:
1.
All local authorities at province and municipal level shall cooperate
with relevant expert institutions in their areas to examine, restore and
maintain existing memorials, and to examine and research other remaining grave
sites, so that all such places may be transformed into memorials, with fences,
trees and informative plaques for both citizens and tourists; the Ministry of
Culture and Fine Arts and the Ministry of Tourism shall issue further technical
guidelines, and shall appoint expert officials to work together with the local
authorities on this issue.
2.
With particular reference to the Anlong Veng region, in the district of
Along Veng, Otdar Meanchey Province, which was of historic importance in the
final stage of the political life of the leaders and military organization of
Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge, the Ministry of Tourism shall continue to make efforts,
as previously directed by the government, to cooperate with the local
authorities and with all relevant ministries and institutions, especially with
the Ministry of Land Management, Construction, and Urbanization, Military Region
4, the Cambodian Mine Action Center and the Documentation Center of Cambodia to
eradicate mines, to prepare a sound master plan, to research document, to
establish a historical museum, and to search for sources of grant in order to
preserve all historical evidence and to transform Anlong Veng into a national
region of historical tourism. It is
absolutely prohibited to encroach on or subdivide land in an anarchic manner, or
to undertake any form of construction in Anlong Veng that has an impact on this
historic region without government permission, except for construction of
housing for residents of the village and commune, in accordance with the
regulations of the Ministry of Land Management, Construction and
Urbanization.
3.
Efforts shall be made to implement the above provisions before 7 January
2002, the 23rd anniversary of the overthrow of Democratic Kampuchea.
On receiving this directive, all relevant ministries and institutions and local
authorities shall implement it effectively.
Phnom Penh, 14 December 2001
Prime Minister
[Signed and sealed]
Hun Sen
cc:
Ministry of the Royal Palace
General Secretariat of the Senate
General Secretariat of the National Assembly
Ministries, Secretariats of State and
Institutions
Office of the Prime Minister
Offices of the Deputy Prime Ministers
Offices of Provinces and Municipalities
Archives and Records
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