During the 54th session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), numerous human rights activists joined their voices in urging international recognition and awareness of the 1971 genocide of Bengalis in what was then East Pakistan, carried out by the Pakistan army. Global Human Rights Defence (GHRD), an international Non-Governmental Organization based in The Hague, Netherlands, orchestrated this significant event. Its aim was to shed light on the Genocide of Bengalis in Bangladesh, previously known as East Pakistan, in 1971 by the Pakistani Army.
The event commenced with an introductory overview of the issue, emphasizing the need to raise awareness and secure justice for the victims. Distinguished panelists offered their expert insights from various angles, ensuring a comprehensive examination of the matter. Among the attendees were delegations from the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), Belgium, and the European Union (EU). The event garnered a global audience, with over 80 participants present in person and many more tuning in online.
Kicking off the event, Shradhanand Sital, Chairman of GHRD, delivered introductory remarks that invoked the solemn promise made in 1945 after World War II - "never again." Despite this vow, horrifying crimes persist worldwide, including in Rwanda, the Balkans, and Bangladesh, with victims still awaiting justice and reconciliation. Mr. Sital passionately called for this issue to take precedence for NGOs and UN members alike.
Harry van Bommel, a Dutch Politician, and Human Rights Activist proceeded to share the findings of the Fact-Finding Mission conducted in Bangladesh in May 2023. Having engaged directly with victims and researchers of the 1971 genocide, he recounted the harrowing account of a 90-year-old woman who bore witness to the Pakistani Army's slaughter of 43 people in her village. His presentation underscored the substantial evidence that supports the assertion of genocide in 1971. In the days to come, these findings will be presented to the European Parliament and other relevant institutions to pursue international recognition and raise awareness, actively involving the Bangladeshi diaspora.
Sanchita Haque, Deputy Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN in Geneva, added her remarks to the discussion. She highlighted the staggering statistics of casualties, abuse, and displacement endured by the Bangladeshi people. She expressed deep pain over the lack of international recognition, deeming it "obnoxious and unacceptable" that the global community has not officially acknowledged the 1971 genocide. Bangladesh commemorates March 25th as Genocide Day each year and established the Liberation War Museum in 1996 to champion recognition and justice for these heinous crimes.
Anthonie Holslag, a lecturer at the Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam specializing in International Law and Genocide, offered his academic perspective. He emphasized the necessity of establishing intent under international law and argued that the comprehensive legal, social, and scientific evidence amassed leaves no room for doubt regarding the classification of these grave crimes as genocide.
In closing, GHRD Chairman Sital reiterated the urgency of supporting this initiative and urged members of the UN to champion recognition and justice for the victims. With over 3 million casualties, more than 200,000 women subjected to sexual violence, and approximately 30 million displaced, this side event underscored the gravity of the issue, compelling the UN and its frameworks to take more substantial action. As a call to action, the event served as a platform to discuss specific resolutions and mechanisms employed thus far, setting the stage for a concerted campaign to secure accountability and closure for the victims of this horrifying crime. The first crucial step in this endeavor is the official recognition of this genocide by the international community and the UN, after 52 years of denial, ignorance, and oversight.
