What was the international community's reaction to the Khmer Rouge regime?

The international community largely condemned the Khmer Rouge regime for its brutal human rights abuses and genocidal policies.

The Khmer Rouge regime, led by Pol Pot from 1975 to 1979, was one of the most brutal in modern history. The international community's reaction to this regime was largely one of condemnation, although the response was not immediate or uniform. The regime's policies resulted in the deaths of an estimated 1.7 to 2 million people, through execution, forced labour, starvation, and disease, which led to widespread international outrage.

Initially, the international community was largely unaware of the extent of the atrocities being committed in Cambodia. The Khmer Rouge's isolationist policies and control over information coming out of the country made it difficult for the outside world to understand the full scale of the human rights abuses taking place. However, as refugees began to flee the country and stories of the regime's brutality emerged, international condemnation grew.

The United Nations (UN) and various human rights organisations played a significant role in bringing the Khmer Rouge's atrocities to light. In 1978, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution condemning the regime for its gross and systematic violations of human rights. Despite this, the Khmer Rouge continued to hold Cambodia's seat at the UN until 1993, largely due to Cold War politics and China's support for the regime.

Western countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom, were initially slow to condemn the Khmer Rouge, partly due to geopolitical considerations. However, as evidence of the regime's atrocities mounted, these countries joined the international condemnation. The US, for example, imposed economic sanctions on the Khmer Rouge regime in 1979.

Despite the international condemnation, it was not until the 1990s that efforts to hold the Khmer Rouge accountable for their crimes gained momentum. The UN established a tribunal to try senior Khmer Rouge leaders for crimes against humanity and genocide, resulting in several convictions. However, many have criticised the international community for its delayed response and failure to prevent the atrocities committed by the Khmer Rouge.