Bangladesh pitching for UN recognition of Mar 25 as 'International Genocide Day'

Bangladesh is pitching for UN recognition of Mar 25 as 'International Genocide Day'.

The day witnessed killings of around 50,000 people by Pakistani occupation army in 1971, according to the liberation war affairs minister.

The minister, AKM Mozammel Huq, briefed the media on the matter on Thursday.

The government has already recognised the day as Genocide Day but "now it is the time we urged the United Nations to observe it internationally", the minister said.

He said Dec 9, which is currently observed as the International Genocide Day, does not bear any historical significance.

“We have prepared a document with facts and explanations over the proposal. Soon the foreign ministry will deliver it to different countries through Bangladeshi envoys,” he said told the reporters at the Secretariat.

On Dec 9, 1948, the Genocide Convention was adopted by the UN. The day got recognition as International Genocide Day in 2015.

“We believe there is hardly any logic behind observing Dec 9. Almost 50,000 people got killed in Dhaka on Mar 25, 1971, which is an unprecedented incident,” the minister said.

Pakistani occupation forces carried out the operation codenamed “Operation Searchlight” on unarmed Bengalis across Dhaka on the night of Mar 25 in 1971.

“They stormed the dorms at Dhaka University and murdered students and teachers. Mass killings were carried out at Pilkhana BDR, Kamalapur Railway Station, Sadarghat Launch Terminal, slums,” said Minister Mozammel.

“This is the only event in world history where such massive killings were carried out without any declaration of war."

“So we believe our proposal will be accepted worldwide," he added.

After Mar 26 (Independence Day), the foreign ministry will go for a full-length programme to pitch for the global recognition of the Genocide Day, according to Mozammel.

He also said Foreign Minister AHM Mahmood Ali already prepared an application and it would be sent to the UN later this month.

Programme for Genocide Day

Minister Mozammel said the day might not witness a lot of programmes due to limited time but whatever will be done it would stand out as a 'milestone'.

A photography exhibition “Roktakto 25 March: Gonohotta Itibritto” will start at 10:30pm at Suhrawardy Udyan followed by discussions and cultural programmes.

Theme-based discussion and cultural programmes will be held across the country.

“No programme can be held at the embassies this year for the time constraint. But we will hold programmes in future (at the embassies),” said the minister.