Virtual candlelight programme for global recognition of 1971 Bangladesh genocide

The International Crimes Strategy Forum (ICSF) has organised a virtual candlelight programme in the early hours of 25 March in remembrance of the victims of the 1971 genocide and demanding international community for global recognition of genocide committed in Bangladesh.

ICSF in a Facebook message has urged everyone from around the globe to take part in the programme at 12:01 am on 25 March according to their respective time zones.

"Today, whatever educational or professional, standard of living we and our family have achieved, it has been possible because of the emergence of Bangladesh as an independent-sovereign country," said a statement issued by ICSF.

"And to achieve this freedom our predecessors had to go through the worst genocide in the history. We owe each and every victim of that 1971 genocide, which will never be repaid."

People will also be able to join the initiative by posting a photo or video of lighting a lamp or candle with the hashtags #recognise1971genocide and #RecogniseBangladeshGenocide.

To view or join the discussion, people need to go to the link: https://www.facebook.com/events/878750522913089/

Along with commemorating the victims of the genocide, a discussion will be held which will focus on fixing specific programmes to get global recognition of the genocide.

State Minister for Foreign Minister Shahriar Alam, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal MP Shirin Akhter who placed the motion in parliament for the national recognition of the day, and Nomita Halder, a member of the National Human Rights Commission, will join the discussion.

The night of 25 March, 1971 is a night of betrayal. Betrayal by the military junta of general Yahya khan, betrayal by ZA Bhutto, betrayal of the whole idea of Pakistan. Betrayal of the idea of "brotherhood" on the basis of common religion.

After Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman made a clarion call for an all-out fight for independence, the Pakistan army on the night of 25 March started a ruthless and brutal armed attack - codenamed 'Operation Search-light' - on the people of East Pakistan, special in Dhaka. It carried out genocide in the early hours of that night in Dhaka.

Bangladesh has long been demanding that the United Nations declare the day as the World Genocide Day as a sign of protest against the genocides carried out around the globe.