Cambodia Revamps Tuol Sleng Museum Area as National Preservation Model

• 17 May 2024
• Local News
• 973 Views

In a significant move to enhance Cambodia’s historical preservation efforts, the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction (MLMUPC) has embarked on a project to redesignate the buildings surrounding the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, according to a meeting chaired by HE Say Sam Al, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Land Management, on 15 May 2024.

This project aims to establish the Tuol Sleng Museum precinct as a model for safeguarding other protected areas throughout Cambodia.  HE Say Sam Al emphasised the importance of meticulous planning for construction surrounding the museum’s historical heritage zone.  “This will become a pattern for other cases in Cambodia,” he stated, underscoring the project’s national significance.

Strict adherence to a master plan and established regulations will be mandatory for all structures within the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum’s heritage zone. The MLMUPC will collaborate with relevant ministries and institutions to develop a nationwide master plan for heritage preservation. This comprehensive initiative will encompass architectural and construction improvements aimed at safeguarding not only the Tuol Sleng Museum but also other protected cultural sites across Cambodia.

The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum holds a sombre yet crucial place in Cambodian history. It served as a notorious secret prison among 196 others during the Democratic Kampuchea regime from 1975 to 1979, where an estimated 20,000 people were detained, interrogated, tortured, and executed.  In recognition of its profound historical significance, UNESCO inscribed the Tuol Sleng Museum archives on its prestigious World Memory List in July 2009.

Furthermore, the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) recently pledged a US$3 million grant spread over five years to support the museum’s second phase of conservation, commencing in 2024.  This vital financial assistance reinforces the international community’s commitment to preserving Cambodia’s cultural heritage. (Read more)

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