Genocide Day observed in Lisbon

Lisbon, 25 March 2022


Bangladesh Embassy in Lisbon observed the Genocide Day on 25 March 2022 reminiscing the brutal and cowardly attacks by the Pakistani occupation forces on the unarmed Bangalees with due honour and solemnity. In profound remembrance of the victims of Bangladesh genocide, a seminar, a photo exhibition and a candlelight vigil were organised at the Embassy premises.

The seminar titled "Bangladesh at 51: Looking back on the Freedom Struggle and Genocide" was held at the Embassy in the afternoon. Parliament member, scholars, academics, leaders and members of political parties, members of expatiate Bangladeshi community and officials of Embassy participated in it. The seminar began with observing one-minute silence in honour of martyrs of Bangladesh Liberation War.

In his opening remarks, the Ambassador of Bangladesh Tarik Ahsan paid rich tribute to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and all the martyrs of the liberation war. He said that just because Bangalees asserted their democratic right to form the government after election victory, Pakistan military started genocide in the name of infamous “Operation Searchlight” in the black night of 25th March 1971. He added that killing, rape, arson and plunder continued throughout 9 months of War of Liberation till surrender of Pak military on 16 December 1971. Mass graves and killing fields are spread all over Bangladesh and new ones are still being discovered. He regretted that, although the Bangladesh genocide had been the worst since World War II, it has not   properly recognised by international community. He viewed that insufficient recognition of Bangladesh genocide is thought to be the cause of many succeeding occurrences of genocide around the world. He called for recognition of Bangladesh genocide to let souls of victims rest in peace.

In the panel discussion, Professor of Lisbon University Dr. Shiv Kumar Singh presented the keynote speech, while Member of Assembly of Portuguese Republic Dr. Paulo Neves was the main speaker.  Dr. Singh elaborated the aspects of dehumanization, extermination and denial of Bangladesh genocide and remarked that Pakistan should formally apologise to Bangladesh for what they did in 1971. He urged the international community, particularly United Nation to recognise Bangladesh genocide immediately.   In his remarks, Parliamentarian Dr. Paulo Neves paid homage to the victims of the black night and martyrs of the liberation war. He also recognised the outstanding achievements of Bangladesh in recent years and viewed that Bangladesh has created a position in the global stage. He also expressed solidarity with Bangladesh and other countries that had to face the international crime of genocide.

A number of video documentaries on achievements of independent Bangladesh, war-time footage of genocide international media and case for recognition of Bangladesh genocide were screened during the seminar. Booklets titled “Bangladesh Genocide Revisited” and “Recognizing the 1971 Bangladesh Genocide” were also distributed among the guests.

After the discussion session, all guests walked in a procession of a candlelight vigil in the premises of the Chancery and placed candles before the portraits of victims of Bangladesh genocide that were  displayed as part of the photographic exhibition titled “1971 Genocide”. The visitors were appalled to witness the horrors of the atrocities perpetrated by Pakistani military and local collaborators.

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