Before I began my Cambodian trip with ICOMOS in 2022, I had one free day to explore Phnom Penh. Among the many sites I visited, the infamous Killing Field and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum left the deepest impression. Learning about the victims of the Khmer Rouge was profoundly depressing, yet I was somewhat reassured to know that, through international pressure, this dark history has been preserved under UNESCO’s Memory of the World program. What struck me, however, was the Cambodian government’s current push to inscribe these memorial sites as World Heritage. On one hand, the recognition would affirm the global significance of this tragedy. On the other, I worry it risks being used as political propaganda.

“The genocide will happen again if there is no peace” is a message I heard often in Cambodia. It echoes the “Thanks Peace” slogan of Hun Sen, the former prime minister—and once a Khmer Rouge member himself—who has long used the trauma of genocide to instill fear and consolidate power. That only a handful of Khmer Rouge leaders were prosecuted, while many others became Hun Sen’s allies, makes the situation even more complex. According to my guide, Cambodian schoolbooks devote only two sentences to the genocide, and many older people prefer silence as the memories are too painful. This raises the question: what meaning would a World Heritage listing hold for ordinary Cambodians?

From a heritage perspective, however, the sites do carry outstanding value. The Cambodian Genocide was one of the most tragic events of the 20th century, and its effects remain visible today. An entire generation of scholars, artists, and intellectuals was nearly erased, leaving lasting scars on Cambodian society. The struggle to rebuild knowledge and revive artistic traditions has even fueled cultural tensions with neighboring countries. In this sense, the nomination would be highly significant for its social impact. I would be glad to see these sites recognized as World Heritage—provided the intent is sincere. My hope is that my doubts prove unfounded, and that this nomination can honor the victims while helping Cambodia heal and share its difficult history with the world.