Chum Mey

About the Author

Chum Mey is a resilient survivor whose extraordinary life story embodies the unyielding spirit of the human condition amid unimaginable horror. Born in Cambodia, he endured the brutal Khmer Rouge regime from 1975 to 1979, witnessing and surviving the systematic extermination of millions in the infamous Tuol Sleng prison, where he was one of only a handful of detainees to emerge alive. After the fall of the regime, Mey dedicated himself to bearing witness to the atrocities, transforming his personal trauma into a powerful narrative of endurance and hope. His memoir, Survivor: The Triumph of an Ordinary Man in the Khmer Rouge Genocide, offers an unflinching firsthand account of survival against all odds, serving as a poignant testament to the strength found in ordinary lives. Today, Mey advocates for genocide remembrance and human rights, inspiring readers worldwide with his message of forgiveness and the importance of never forgetting history's darkest chapters.