Bangladesh High Commissioner to Canada High Dr Khalilur Rahman has said the Pakistani war criminals should be brought under due trial without which the process of doing justice to the victims of the 1971 Genocide in Bangladesh would not be done.

While addressing a Genocide Day discussion in Ottawa, he said it is their duty to inform the international community about the genocide that took place in Bangladesh. “Efforts are on to get the Genocide Day recognised internationally.”

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The High Commissioner said he is trying to establish a genocide corner at the Human Rights Museum in Winnipeg with the objective of mobilising public opinion in support of getting Genocide Day recognised internationally.

The Bangladesh High Commission in Ottawa observed National Genocide Day of Bangladesh on Thursday.

The programme includes the observance of silence, reading out of the messages followed by a special discussion.

The Bangladesh High Commissioner, Deputy High Commissioner and all the officers and officials of the High Commission were present at the event.

A one-minute silence was observed to pay homage to all the martyrs and then the messages of the President and Prime Minister were read out by the officers of the High Commission for the audiences.

At the open discussion held on the importance and the significance of the day, the speakers said 50 years back, on 25 March 1971, Pakistan Army launched “Operation Searchlight” resulting in the worst genocide in human history over a period of nine months till the Pakistan Forces were defeated by the Bangladesh Freedom Fighters under the leadership of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

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They emphasised that this day should be internationally recognised, and all should work together in this regard.

High Commissioner Rahman first paid homage to the Father of the Nation for leading the nation to achieve Independence.

He also paid respect to all victims of Genocide in 1971, the martyrs and tortured women and the valiant freedom fighters for whose sacrifice the country achieved Independence.

The High Commissioner said the observance of the Genocide Day should have been started earlier than 2017as it is an immensely important day in Bangladesh’s history.

He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her decision to observe the day as Genocide Day from 2017.

The High Commissioner said it was the decision of the Prime Minister to establish the International War Crimes Tribunal after winning the elections in 2008.

He mentioned that the International War Criminal Tribunal already tried and convicted Bangladeshi collaborators and associates of the Pakistani war criminals.

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