‘Pakistan’s 1971 Operation Searchlight One Of The Worst Genocides’: Bangladesh Demands UN Recognition

Upping the ante on Pakistan, Bangladesh on Tuesday (26 March) sought United Nations’ (UN) recognition of one of the world’s worst genocides (Operation Searchlight) conducted by Pakistani Army on the citizens of the then East Pakistan on the night of 25 March 1971, reports Economic Times.

According to the report, while addressing a panel meet in New York, Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative at UN Masud Bin Momen sought the global body’s recognition of the 1971 genocide.

"International bodies, experts, historians and foreign journalists have given their clear opinion and evidence in support of commission of this genocide. The atrocities have been well-documented, there are many scholarly publications on this. Yet, it is unfortunate that a genocide of this scale has not been able to find its rightful place in the international genocide discourse including at the United Nations. We are urging upon the United Nations for due recognition of our genocide in 1971," Momen was quoted in the report as saying.

"...25th of March, is the Genocide Day of Bangladesh. On this day in 1971, upon secret order from Pakistan authorities in the code name ‘Operation searchlight’ Pakistani forces committed the most brutal and targeted mass killing in our capital Dhaka in particular and elsewhere in country which continued throughout the night,” the envoy added.