(Phnom Penh): Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet highlighted that the inscription of the three sites comprising “Cambodia’s Memorial Sites”, namely the former M-13 Detention Centre, Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21), and Choeung Ek Genocidal Centre that originated from the farsighted vision of Samdech Techo Hun Sen.

The premier spoke on Friday (Jul. 18) during a celebration of the inscription of “Cambodian Memorial Sites: From Centres of Repression to Places of Peace and Reflection” on the UNESCO World Heritage List, held at the National Olympic Stadium.

“The successful inscription of the three memorial sites, including M-13, Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21), and Choeung Ek Genocidal Centre, reflecting the far-sighted initiative of Samdech Techo Hun Sen, former Prime Minister. On 28 February 2019, Samdech Techo advised the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts and relevant institutions to begin the process of proposing Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21) for inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List, with the aim of preserving this historical site of remembrance for future generations,” the premier underscored.

Samdech Thipadei continued that, based on this noble directive, the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, in cooperation with relevant ministries and institutions, national and international experts, and UNESCO, conducted research and compiled technical documentation in accordance with the 1972 Convention's Operational Guidelines. The submission received high commendation from international expert bodies such as ICOMOS and ICCROM, and was officially recognized by the World Heritage Committee for its outstanding universal value as “Cambodian Memorial Sites: From Centres of Repression to Places of Peace and Reflection" leading to its formal inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List in Paris.

On this momentous occasion, Prime Minister Hun Manet also humbly requested royal permission to express his deepest and most profound gratitude to Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni and Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk for their enduring and generous royal support for the efforts of the Royal Government in serving the nation's history and safeguarding the motherland with freedom, dignity, and peace.
=FRESH NEWS