Why are the colourised photos considered an insult to genocide victims?

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Colourised Photographs Deemed Insult to Genocide Victims Due to Unauthorised Alterations

The colourised photographs of Khmer Rouge victims, published by VICE, have been widely condemned as an insult to the dead. This condemnation stems from the fact that some of the mugshots, originally black-and-white, were digitally altered to include smiles, a manipulation that was not present in the original historical records. The artist, Matt Loughrey, had intended his project to humanise the victims of the Tuol Sleng prison, also known as S-21, where approximately 14,000 Cambodians were executed and tortured during the Khmer Rouge regime.
Digital Alterations Beyond Colourisation

The core of the controversy lies in the unauthorised digital manipulation of the photographs. While the intention was to colourise historical images, the artist went further by adding smiles to some of the subjects. These alterations were not present in the original black-and-white photographs, leading to accusations that the integrity of historical sources was compromised. Comparisons made on social media highlighted these discrepancies, sparking a significant backlash.
Condemnation from Cambodian Authorities and Public

Cambodia's Ministry of Culture issued a formal statement urging the removal of the images and calling on researchers, artists, and the public to avoid manipulating historical sources. Exiled Cambodian politician Mu Sochua also voiced strong criticism on Twitter, describing the use of technology to add smiles to victims of S-21 as a "very grave insult to the souls of the victims of #genocide." The public outcry on social media further amplified these concerns, demanding accountability for the disrespect shown to the victims.
VICE's Response and Investigation

Following the widespread criticism and backlash, VICE removed the article and the accompanying photographs. The media group stated that the manipulated images did not meet its editorial standards. In a subsequent statement, VICE acknowledged that the artist had altered the photographs beyond mere colourisation and expressed regret for the error. The company announced that it has launched an investigation into how this failure in its editorial process occurred, aiming to understand the breakdown that allowed such content to be published.
Historical Context of the Khmer Rouge Regime

The images were related to the Khmer Rouge regime's brutal rule in Cambodia between 1975 and 1979. During this period of terror, an estimated 1.7 million Cambodians perished due to execution, starvation, disease, and overwork. The Tuol Sleng prison (S-21) served as a notorious centre for torture and execution, processing thousands of individuals deemed enemies of the regime. The manipulation of images depicting victims from this tragic period has been seen as deeply insensitive to the immense suffering endured.

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Why are the colourised photos considered an insult to genocide victims?

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