Bou Meng, a Cambodian artist who gained international recognition as one of the few survivors of the Khmer Rouge’s S-21 torture center, has died at the age of 85. During the regime’s rule from 1975 to 1979, Meng was imprisoned at the notorious Tuol Sleng facility, where he was forced to paint portraits of Khmer Rouge leaders to avoid execution. His wife, Ma Yoeun, did not survive the imprisonment.

Following the fall of the regime, Meng dedicated much of his life to documenting the horrors of the genocide. He became a key witness in the legal proceedings against former Khmer Rouge officials, providing testimony that helped establish the historical record of the prison system. His artwork, which depicted the brutal conditions he witnessed and experienced, remains a vital part of Cambodia’s efforts to preserve the memory of the victims.

While historical records confirm that only seven individuals are known to have survived the S-21 facility, Meng’s death marks the loss of one of the most vocal advocates for justice for the estimated 1.7 million people who died during the period. His passing has been noted by human rights organizations and historians as a significant moment in the ongoing process of national reconciliation and historical education in Cambodia.