Outrage all around

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Pakistan’s recent statement in which it denied committing atrocities in Bangladesh in 1971 has drawn strong protest and condemnation from different rights organisations, political parties and freedom fighters.

A number of organisations yesterday demanded that Dhaka sever diplomatic relations with Islamabad and take initiative to hold trial of the Pakistanis who committed war crimes during the Liberation War.

Speaking at a victory rally in the capital, Dhaka University Vice Chancellor Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique said, “The crimes committed against humanity in 1971 were crimes against world civilisation. Pakistan’s statement on the ongoing trial of war criminals is a blatant interference in our domestic affairs.”

The rally was organised at Swadhinata Chattar of Suhrawardy Udyan to mark the beginning of the month of Bangladesh’s victory in 1971.

Responding to a query, he said, “We today announce that we will not send any student representative from our university to Pakistan until the country apologies for its statement on the war crimes trial.”

Asked what if any student representative from Pakistan wants to visit DU, the VC said, “We will think about that.”

He said the Bangladesh government should appeal to the United Nations for cancelling Pakistan’s membership since the country’s stance is against the spirit of the UN. Dhaka should also move to have cancelled Pakistan’s membership of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc).

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At another victory rally at Suhrawardy Udyan, Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu said, “I think we should consider whether we should keep political ties with Pakistan unless it apologises.

“They have no remorse even after so many years. They show no sign of offering apology,” he said.

Meanwhile, the BNP said the Pakistan government was trying to conceal the truth about the 1971 genocide.

“It is not possible to hide the truth by making false statements on the genocide, as Pakistani soldiers led the genocide in Bangladesh during our Liberation War,” BNP Spokesperson Asaduzzaman Ripon said at a press conference at the party’s Nayapaltan headquarters.

In a statement, Ekattorer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee said, “We not only condemn and protest this falsehood but also demand that Pakistan unconditionally apologise for hurting the sentiment of the people of Bangladesh through this lie.”

It also urged the government to take steps to hold trial of the Pakistanis responsible for the 1971 genocide in Bangladesh and realise compensations from Pakistan.

“We urge the government to seek the international community’s support in putting pressure on Pakistan for trying Pakistani war criminals, giving compensations to Bangladesh and offering unconditional apology to Bangladesh,” read the statement.

Gonosonghoti Andolon, a leftist group, also made similar demands through a press release. It called for bringing back Bangladesh’s assets lying with Pakistan since 1971.

Referring to Pakistan’s remark on the war crimes trial in Bangladesh, Sector Commanders Forum-Liberation War’71 said Pakistan’s statements proved that it could not accept Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty even after 44 years.

“There can be no rationale for keeping diplomatic ties with such a country,” it said in a statement.

 Meanwhile, Gonojagoron Mancha announced that it would hold a protest rally and bring out a procession from Shahbagh at 4:00pm today with the demand for severing all ties with Pakistan for its audacious statement.

Source: The Daily Star