Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Sunday said that he would work on forming a cell for better coordination to get international recognition of the Bangladesh genocide carried out by the Pakistan military in 1971.
He made the comment at a seminar titled “Genocide in Bangladesh: Seeking International Recognition and Reparation”.
Professor of Law Sheikh Hafizur Rahman Karzon, director of the Centre for Genocide Studies at Dhaka University, while presenting the keynote paper, highlighted the need for a special cell for “methodical approach” to obtain international recognition of the genocide.
He said the foreign ministry needs “to strengthen its diplomacy tools and guidelines as to the recognition agenda.”
The Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) organized the seminar ahead of March 25 which is observed as the National Genocide Day by Bangladesh.
President of the Jatiya Press Club and Member of the Parliament Farida Yeasmin also spoke at the seminar presided over by Nurul Islam Hasib, president of DCAB.
General Secretary Ashiqur Rahman Apu conducted the program.
On the night of 25 March 1971, Pakistan authorities launched a military crackdown called “Operation Searchlight” in the then East Pakistan. The aim of the crackdown was to neutralize the independence movement of Bengalis.
Bangladesh emerged as a free independent country after a nine-month long war against Pakistan army on December 16, 1971. At least 3 million people were killed and 200,000 women were raped during the brutalities.
The foreign minister said he would work in a “coordinated way” to demand recognition.
“Proper documentation is important,” he said, asking all who work on the issue to work in a coordinated way.
He said the issue of reparation from Pakistan also died down with time. “We need to be vocal for that,” he said, adding that “Pakistan rehabilitated their military personnel who were involved in genocide in different countries.”
Methodical approach
Prof Karzon said since Bangladesh’s independence in 1971, the geopolitical situation has changed significantly. As a result, it has become more challenging, particularly for the younger generations, to disseminate information on what really happened in Bangladesh in 1971.
“This reality calls for an all encompassing recognition plan,” he said while sharing his “grand plan”.
“Bangladesh as a country truly deserves to achieve international recognition of the genocide that occurred on its lands in 1971. For this to happen, the country needs to take a methodical approach. A grand plan needs to be formulated in a participatory way under the leadership of the relevant government body,” he said.
“Only then will the voices of all stakeholders be heard. Both short- and long-term advocacy activities need to be listed. These need to be prioritized, incorporated in the plan and then executed as designed.”
“Bangladesh government must create a Genocide Recognition Cell, housed in a suitable ministry, such as the Prime Minister’s Office, the Foreign Ministry or the Liberation War Affairs Ministry. Inter-ministerial coordination will then be vital, especially with regard to consulting stakeholders from civil society. A holistic work plan to this end needs to be formulated,” he said.
He also talked about reorienting diplomacy.
“Bangladesh’s foreign ministry needs to strengthen its diplomacy tools and guidelines as to the recognition agenda. Diplomats should build networks and lobby different host governments to obtain endorsement (resolution/statements) of the Bangladesh case.
“Diplomats can also engage diaspora groups within their country of mission. A concerned desk at the relevant embassy would be helpful in this pursuit,” he said.
“It is a harsh reality that the UN played a very passive role when Bangladesh was experiencing these atrocities in 1971. Today, however, Bangladesh is a key player within the developing countries’ club at the UN.
“Obviously, obtaining recognition from the UN will be challenging. With guidelines from the foreign ministry, Bangladesh’s UN Mission can put in place a clear plan to facilitate the process at the UN level,” he said.
Prof Karzon also stressed the need for sensitization and youth inclusion.
“International crimes like genocide are a complex concept to understand, even for activists. There is surely a lack of conceptual clarity among the stakeholders of the recognition movement of Bangladesh. Effective plans need to be designed to sensitise all of society, including both government and non-government actors.
“Bangladeshi decision-makers can create a youth consortium programme on genocide research. Many tech-savvy young Bangladeshis are archiving invaluable resources related to the country’s liberation struggle, war and genocide in 1971.
“The government should bring these young people under one umbrella so they can systematically and collaboratively develop an accessible go-to archive,” he said.
Prof Karzon also said that Bangladesh should allocate funds for use in carrying out international standard research centre on Bangladesh’s genocide and liberation war.
