Bou Meng, Artist and Khmer Rouge Torture Survivor, Dies at 85

Bou Meng, a Cambodian artist and one of only seven known survivors of the Khmer Rouge's notorious S-21 torture center, has died at the age of 85. The U.N.-backed tribunal that tried Khmer Rouge leaders confirmed he passed away late Friday due to age-related illness.

Meng was held at the prison, also known as Tuol Sleng, for nearly two years starting in 1977. He survived because his skill as a painter was useful to the regime: he was ordered to create large portraits of Pol Pot, the Khmer Rouge leader, as well as images of other communist figures such as Mao Zedong, Kim Il Sung, and a mocking depiction of Ho Chi Minh with a dog's body.

During the Khmer Rouge's rule from 1975 to 1979, an estimated 1.7 million Cambodians died from executions, forced labor, starvation, and lack of medical care. At S-21, about 16,000 people were detained and killed before the regime fell. The site is now the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum.

Meng testified in 2009 at the trial of Kaing Guek Eav, also known as Duch, the commandant of S-21. Duch was convicted of crimes against humanity and murder in 2010 and sentenced to life in prison; he died in 2020.

His first wife was arrested with him and disappeared, presumably executed. Their two children were taken to the countryside and likely killed. In later years, Meng remarried and often spent time at the museum, selling copies of a book about his experiences.

Youk Chhang, head of the Documentation Center of Cambodia, said Meng's life journey for justice has been documented and "will not be forgotten by genocide history around the world." He urged action to preserve the stories of Khmer Rouge survivors and provide them with support.