UK parliament urged to recognise Bangladesh genocide
Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK Saida Muna Tasneem has said there are strong documentary and eyewitness evidence that genocide was committed on Bangladeshi soil in 1971, yet the world has failed to recognise it.
She made the remarks at a special discussion, titled "1971 Bangladesh Genocide and International Recognition".
Observing the Genocide Day (March 25), Bangladesh High Commission in London hosted the discussion at the "Bangabandhu Lounge" of the mission. Eminent Bangladeshi journalist and columnist Syed Badrul Ahsan delivered the keynote speech at the event.
The Bangladesh high commissioner cited several international media reports on the genocide, including Anthony Mascarenhas' lead article in the Sunday Times headlined "Genocide" and similar reports on mass atrocities by The Telegraph and BBC that shocked the world and prompted global leaders to act.
The envoy said, "In April 1971, Sir Peter Shore, MP, who was chair of the UK's Foreign Affairs Committee, moved a motion in the UK parliament condemning atrocities committed in erstwhile East Pakistan, followed by another motion, moved by Action Bangladesh and supported by over 233 cross-party members, calling for the end of genocide in East Bengal and the recognition of Bangladesh."
The high commissioner commended the US Congress resolution led by Congressman Ro Khanna and Congressman Steve Chabot, which she said needs to be emulated in the British parliament, and reaffirmed her commitment to working with British parliamentarians towards the recognition of the Bangladesh genocide in the UK parliament.
Expressing her gratitude to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for declaring March 25 as Bangladesh Genocide Day, the high commissioner said: "Bangladesh High Commission, London has organised many events including one with the University College, London for creating global awareness about the 1971 Bengali genocide and getting international recognition of it."
She called upon British-Bangladeshi politicians, academia, professionals and community leaders to create greater awareness of the Bangladesh genocide amongst British political, humanitarian and think-tank circles.
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