Phnom Penh, January 7, 2023(AseanAll) --Cambodian people across the country on January 7 commemorated the 44th anniversary of the January 7 Victory over Genocide Day  (1979 - 2023).

In Phnom Penh,  the capital of Cambodia ，mass meeting was held at Koh Pich Convention and Exhibition Centre on Saturday morning (Jan 7)  with the participation of more than 20,000 people.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, who also is the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) president,  attended the commemoration and made a speech.

“Today marks the 44th anniversary of the historic victory of the Cambodian people over the genocidal regime of Pol Pot on Jan. 7, 1979, which saved the Khmer nation in time from the most heinous torture and massacre in the history of Cambodia and of humanity,” said Hun Sen on the occasion.

“We celebrate this anniversary in the spirit of always remembering the heroic combatants of the United Front for National Salvation of Kampuchea, patriots and heroic soldiers of the Vietnamese volunteer army who sacrificed their flesh and blood, and even lives in the fight to overthrow the genocidal regime and to liberate the Cambodian people from the pit of death of this barbaric regime. ”he emphasized. 

“At the same time, let us all bow down and pay our respects to the souls of the millions of compatriots who lost their lives in the most heinous and unjust acts of genocide, and pray for their souls to rest in peace,” he said.

In a social media post, Hun Sen said that 44 years ago, all Cambodians, including young children, were forced to work long hours, with inadequate food, and without holidays, hospitals, schools, or pagodas. All of their rights and freedoms were stripped from them.

“But after the country was liberated on January 7, 1979 under the leadership of the CPP, the people once again enjoyed their rights and freedoms. The whole nation has been peaceful and developed in all sectors under my leadership,” he added.