Recognise the 1971 genocide

Speakers yesterday appealed to the United Nations to officially acknowledge the mass killings perpetrated by the Pakistani occupation army during the Liberation War in 1971 as an act of genocide.

Highlighting the significance of recognising this genocide, Mahbub Zaman, chairperson of Amra 71, an organisation dedicated to pursuing recognition of the 1971 genocide for the past two years, explained that the atrocities committed during the Liberation War unquestionably possessed the defining characteristics of genocide.

He made the call during a press conference held at the Jatiya Press Club, a day prior to the international seminar titled "International Conference for Bangladesh Genocide Recognition," scheduled to take place at Dhaka University.

When questioned about the timing of their pursuit for this recognition after 52 years, he responded by saying that they do not believe it is too late.

"The demand is not new. Various individuals and organisations have been making this demand after the Liberation War, and now the demand has gained momentum," he said.

According to him, they have been engaging in campaigns for the past two years to achieve this objective.

"We have been in contact with international communities, including some European countries, and have been organising seminars, discussions, and debates on this matter. Today's seminar is a part of our campaign," he said.

A delegation consisting of five members from Europe has arrived to participate in the seminar. They are expected to visit locations of the genocide, speak with witnesses and family members of the victims, and visit museums in the country.

During the briefing, Hary Van Bommel, a Dutch politician, and rights activist, expressed that there have been numerous lesser-known genocides that have taken place in various countries.

According to him, recognising the genocide is crucial in raising awareness about the atrocities faced by the people of the country, ensuring punishment of the perpetrators, and preventing the occurrence of such genocides in the future.

When asked about the timeline for achieving recognition of the genocide, Bommel said, "Discussions about the genocide in Bangladesh are ongoing in the US, the UK and the European Union. I don't think it's going to take 100 years... International recognition will be obtained in the next few years. It may take some years, not decades."

Mentioning that Bangladesh continues to suffer due to the mass killings, Prof Anthonie Holslag of Vrije Universiteit of Amsterdam, said the recognition of genocide is significant beyond the political recognition.

Chris Blackburn, communications director at Swiss Interstrategy Group based in Zurich, said their mission is to understand the story of the Bangladesh genocide and share it with the world.

Presided over by Farida Yeasmin, president of the Jatiya Press Club, the event was also addressed by Aroma Dutta, an Awami League lawmaker(reserved Seat-11); Bikash Chowdhury Barua, chairman of Basug-Diaspora and Development, based in the Netherlands, Germany, and Bangladesh; and Ansar Ahmed Ullah, co-president of EBF and a community leader residing in the UK.