Petition for recognition Genocide-1971 underway: Bommel

ZOOMBANGLA DESK: Dutch human rights activist Harry van Bommel said a plan is underway to file a petition with the Netherlands parliament regarding the genocide carried out by the Pakistan occupation forces on Bangladeshis during their 1971 Liberation War and arrange for witnesses to testify before the parliamentarians.

“I believe that such actions can be replicated by the international community in other countries to support the recognition of the Bangladesh genocide,” he told the national English daily `The Daily Star’ during an interview on Monday.

Harry van Bommel, a former lawmaker of the Netherlands, is visiting Bangladesh with a five-member delegation team from Europe, to know the narrative of the genocide in Bangladesh. The delegation arrived on May 21 and is scheduled to leave today.

He also said to effectively raise awareness for recognition, foreign missions and embassies of Bangladesh can collaborate closely with the diaspora communities.

Shedding light on the necessity of international recognition of genocide, the former lawmaker of the Netherlands from May 1998 to March 2017, said recognition, especially on an international level, provides support to the families who have lost their loved ones and became victims themselves. It offers them a sense of justice and acknowledgement of the atrocities they endured.

“The Armenian genocide was recognised by 29 countries, thanks to the efforts of the Armenian diaspora in foreign nations,” he said.

“Diasporas can play a significant role by filing petitions in foreign parliaments and organising public debates to bring attention to the issue. Politicians in foreign countries often pay attention to diasporas, particularly when they are a large, vocal, and visible group, such as the European Bangladesh Forum — an organisation working since 2017 for this cause in European countries,” added Van Bommel.

To garner support for the cause, he proposed compiling accounts of witnesses, victims’ family members, and other relevant parties, and publishing a booklet about the genocide in Bangladesh.

Shedding light on the necessity of international recognition of genocide, the former lawmaker of the Netherlands from May 1998 to March 2017, said recognition, especially on an international level, provides support to the families who have lost their loved ones and became victims themselves. It offers them a sense of justice and acknowledgement of the atrocities they endured.

Moreover, international recognition can lead to legal proceedings where the perpetrators might face criminal charges for their international crimes, he said.

He also said recognising the genocide serves as a means of prevention. When perpetrators are not held accountable for their actions, it sends a dangerous message that such atrocities can be committed without consequences. “By recognising the genocide, we send a message of warning that such acts will not be tolerated in the future, promoting a culture of deterrence.”

During the 1971 Liberation War, the Pakistan occupation forces killed 3 million Bangladeshis in nine months, one of the largest figures since World War II. They also raped 2 to 4 lakh women. Their atrocities compelled more than 10 million people to take refuge in India. Sensing the imminent defeat, they also killed thousands of intellectuals with the help of their local collaborators, when the war was nearing its end.

Asked about Pakistan’s persistent denial of carrying out genocide on the Bangalees, Harry van Bommel said they have witnessed similar reactions from the perpetrators in the past. “These patterns are not new.”

Four esteemed scientific institutions have confirmed that the atrocities committed in Bangladesh in 1971 were indeed a genocide. In line with the genocide convention established by the United Nations, it becomes evident that the events in Bangladesh fall under the definition of genocide. The intention was to systematically eliminate or partially eradicate a specific group with the involvement of a state, which fulfils the criteria for genocide.

“Hence, it falls upon the international community to politically acknowledge this fact, which would then lead to discussions and debates within the United Nations,” said Van Bommel.

He said one reason for this lack of recognition could be attributed to Pakistan’s alliance with the West during the Cold War.

“Despite the passage of time, Pakistan continues to be viewed as an important partner by countries like the US and others, despite the global fight against terrorism and Pakistan’s possession of nuclear weapons,” he added. (The Daily Star)