Proper research needed to get recognition for March 25 genocide, say experts

Without proper research work carried out in a methodical manner about the 1971 genocide in Bangladesh, getting recognition from the United Nation (UN) will be difficult, experts have opined. Talking with The Independent, Prof. Imtiaz Ahmed, founder director of the Centre for Genocide Studies of Dhaka University (DU), said the UN will recognise the genocide if Bangladesh can present evidence backed by serious research work.
“We know what happened in Bangladesh in 1971, and we feel strongly about it. But the UN comprises all nations including Pakistan. Our proposal to seek recognition for the genocide will be strongly opposed by them,” he added. He said obstacles might also be put up by superpowers like the US and China. "The role of the US during our Liberation War is known to all. Then US secretary of state, Dr Henry Kissinger, is still alive. Leaked Wikileaks papers show that Kissinger was well aware of the genocide that was happening at the time. But the US did not hesitate to aid Pakistan by sending its Seventh Fleet," he added. "The relation between Pakistan and the US has deteriorated in recent times, but not to that extent where the US wouldn’t  garner support for Pakistan in the UN. China is a very good friend of Pakistan and it is likely to support Pakistan to move against Bangladesh’s proposal in the UN,” he said.
So, to fight such obstacles, Bangladesh has to move in a methodical manner. “The best way to do so is to gather evidence through proper research work. The Centre for Genocide Studies at the DU has been mainly established to do so,” he added.
Citing an example, Dr Ahmed said the UN had recognised the Armenian genocide despite strong opposition from Turkey as it did not have any option. Research conducted on the Armenian genocide were so thorough and comprehensive that the UN had to recognise it, he observed.
Prof Moniruzzaman, history professor and former principal of Anondo Mohon College, said the approach taken by the Armenian people for getting recognition of their genocide can be a good example for Bangladesh.
To get recognition for the genocide, Armenians worldwide initiated efforts for national and international recognition. These began with the introduction of commemorative resolutions in the US Congress in 1975 and with efforts to enter the subject on the record at the UN, which occurred with the 1985 adoption of a report on genocide by the UN Commission on Human Rights, he said. The continued denial by the Republic of Turkey, however, created conditions, which, in the view of many Armenians, necessitated continuation of the search for international reaffirmation until such time as acknowledgment is made universal and irreversible, said Prof. Moniruzzaman. Shahriar Kabir, executive president of the Ekattorer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee, said there are two steps of getting recognition for the genocide on March 25. “First, we have to get recongnition from the UN about the genocide that was conducted on March 25. That’s the first part.”

Proper research needed to get recognition for March 25 genocide, say experts

Without proper research work carried out in a methodical manner about the 1971 genocide in Bangladesh, getting recognition from the United Nation (UN) will be difficult, experts have opined. Talking with The Independent, Prof. Imtiaz Ahmed, founder director of the Centre for Genocide Studies of Dhaka University (DU), said the UN will recognise the genocide if Bangladesh can present evidence backed by serious research work. We know what happened in Bangladesh in 1971, and we feel strongly about it. But the UN comprises all nations including Pakistan. Our proposal to seek recognition for the genocide will be strongly opposed by them, he added. He said obstacles might also be put up by superpowers like the US and China. The role of the US during our Liberation War is known to all. Then US secretary of state, Dr Henry Kissinger, is still alive. Leaked Wikileaks papers show that Kissinger was well aware of the genocide that was happening at the time. But the US did not hesitate to aid Pakistan by sending its Seventh Fleet, he added. The relation between Pakistan and the US has deteriorated in recent times, but not to that extent where the US wouldnt garner support for Pakistan in the UN. China is a very good friend of Pakistan and it is likely to support Pakistan to move against Bangladeshs proposal in the UN, he said. So, to fight such obstacles, Bangladesh has to move in a methodical manner. The best way to do so is to gather evidence through proper research work. The Centre for Genocide Studies at the DU has been mainly established to do so, he added. Citing an example, Dr Ahmed said the UN had recognised the Armenian genocide despite strong opposition from Turkey as it did not have any option. Research conducted on the Armenian genocide were so thorough and comprehensive that the UN had to recognise it, he observed. Prof Moniruzzaman, history professor and former principal of Anondo Mohon College, said the approach taken by the Armenian people for getting recognition of their genocide can be a good example for Bangladesh. To get recognition for the genocide, Armenians worldwide initiated efforts for national and international recognition. These began with the introduction of commemorative resolutions in the US Congress in 1975 and with efforts to enter the subject on the record at the UN, which occurred with the 1985 adoption of a report on genocide by the UN Commission on Human Rights, he said. The continued denial by the Republic of Turkey, however, created conditions, which, in the view of many Armenians, necessitated continuation of the search for international reaffirmation until such time as acknowledgment is made universal and irreversible, said Prof. Moniruzzaman. Shahriar Kabir, executive president of the Ekattorer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee, said there are two steps of getting recognition for the genocide on March 25. First, we have to get recongnition from the UN about the genocide that was conducted on March 25. Thats the first part.