‘Lest We Forget’ was the event’s theme, the embassy said in a press release.
A minute’s silence was observed at the beginning in memory of the martyrs of genocide committed by Pakistan Army in 1971.
Messages from President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, issued on the occasion, were read out. A documentary titled ‘Genocide in Bangladesh and the Killing Field’ was shown later.
Keynote speaker journalist Bikash Chowdhury said the atrocities of the Pakistan Army was no less than the genocides perpetrated on the Jews during WWII or the genocides in Rwanda or Cambodia.
Chowdhury, a witness of ‘operation searchlight’ and Pakistani atrocities, narrated events of the fateful night.
Ambassador Sheikh Moahmmed Belal said: “We must engage deeply with the tribunals in The Hague like International Criminal Court, ICJ, PCA to prevent this kind of genocide happening again anywhere in the world.”
He urged everyone to bring it to the attention of the world community through archiving the memories of the victims and witnesses of the atrocities.
Ambassador Belal also urged all to raise voice against collaborators of the crimes.
He hoped international recognition of 1971 genocide in Bangladesh will come under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.