Lobby for int'l recognition of 1971 genocide

Speakers at an international conference yesterday urged the government to start diplomatic lobbying to earn international recognition of the genocide during the Liberation War in 1971.

They also urged the international community to raise their voice against other genocides -- with the influence of powerful countries -- that have been taking place in different parts of the world.

Centre for Genocide-Torture and Liberation War Studies, a project of cultural affairs ministry, organised the two-day conference titled “1971: Liberation War, Genocide and the World” at Bangla Academy auditorium in Dhaka.

Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor inaugurated the programme as chief guest.

Speaking at the conference, eminent historian and Dhaka University Professor Muntassir Mamoon alleged that many powerful countries, like the USA and China, had supported the genocide in 1971.

“They [the countries] wanted to conceal the genocide. Because, if the genocide in Bangladesh got international recognition, then the USA and China would have to take responsibility,” he said.

“Now, it is time to talk about this,” said Muntassir, also president of 1971: Genocide-Torture Archive and Museum Trust.

Cultural Affairs minister Asaduzzaman Noor said the people who were involved in the genocide and supported it, also worked behind the rise of militancy in the country.

A total of 14 distinguished personalities of eight countries, including India, Belgium and Egypt, presented articles at the conference.

Dhaka University's Supernumerary Professor Syed Anwar Husain and Prof Mesbah Kamal, noted war crimes researcher Shahriar Kabir, eminent artist Hashem Khan, and India's National Research Professor Jayanta Kumar Ray, among others, spoke at the programme.