Lions Led By Donkeys Podcast Episode 135 - The Khmer Rouge Part 3: S21 and the Killing Fields.
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Dec 28, 2020 Dive into the harrowing world of the Khmer Rouge, exploring the grim reality of S21, a death camp where indoctrinated child guards enforced brutal treatment. The discussion contrasts chilling orders and propaganda tactics with absurd anecdotes. Unearth the fate of Western captives, revealing their tragic brutality and systematic erasure. Finally, witness the echoes of the Killing Fields, where survivor stories stand against a backdrop of torture and death, critiquing those who defended the regime amidst a landscape of unimaginable loss.
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S21 Was A Death Camp, Not A Prison
- S21 was not a prison in the usual sense but a death camp where no one was released alive by design.
- The Khmer Rouge used 'prison' language but functionally ran execution and extermination facilities.
Cult Tactics Replaced Family Bonds
- The Khmer Rouge used cult tactics like forced disconnection to control recruits and erase loyalties.
- Children were turned into politically 'pure' cadres by severing family ties and requiring absolute loyalty to Ankar.
Paperwork And Torture Created Legitimacy
- S21 combined meticulous documentation with systematic torture to manufacture confessions.
- Prison record-keeping and photographs were used to legitimize executions regardless of actual guilt.