UN will discuss mass killings in 1971, says UN undersecretary

United Nations Undersecretary and Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide Adama Dieng has said that the recognition of the 1971 mass killings by Pakistani army during Bangladesh’s Liberation War will be discussed at the UN.

He made the remarks after meeting the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday morning at her office. Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters on the meeting afterwards.

The prime minister spoke about how the genocide began on Mar 25, 1971, and how people were indiscriminately killed by the Pakistani occupation forces and their collaborators in this country, he said.

The prime minister also mentioned during the meeting that more than 200,000 women were tortured in the Liberation War and after independence, the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, arranged for their rehabilitation.

“Adama Dieng has said that he will raise the issue of genocide in Bangladesh and that some countries might oppose the matter,” the press secretary said.

The Pakistani army violently attacked unarmed Bengalees on the night of Mar 25, 1971. The killings were indiscriminate. At least 7,000 Bengalis were killed in Dhaka alone that night.

Following the atrocities carried out by the Pakistani army, the Bangalees fought back and an armed struggle began for independence. After nine months of war Bangladesh emerged victorious on Dec 16, 1971.

Bangladesh’s progress in women’s empowerment was also discussed at the meeting, said Ihsanul Karim.

“Islam has talked about empowering women, said the prime minister. She has been around the country. The government is placing great importance on the matter.”

The UN undersecretary told the prime minister that Bangladesh is progressing on the issue of women’s empowerment, said Ihsanul.  “You’re a symbol of women empowerment,” he told her, the press secretary said.

Hasina thanked the international community for helping to handle the Rohingya crisis during the meeting. Adama also spoke about supporting Bangladesh on the Rohingya issue.

“Bangladesh cannot solve the Rohingya issue alone and the international community should mount more pressure on Myanmar to solve it. We have taken on the effort. We want justice for those involved in Rohingya repression,” said Adama.

He added that the UN wants repatriation of the Rohingyas to their homeland of Rakhine state, and a peaceful and inclusive society to be built for them there.