DAKHA, 9 December 2020, (TON): Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, on the occasion of “International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime” and “72nd Anniversary of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide” highlighted the events of March 1971 and onwards, when people of the erstwhile Eastern part of Pakistan faced unleashed brutal mass killings of the innocent civilian population by occupying Western forces.

Prime Minister Hasina said, "On the occasion of the “International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime” as well as the “72nd anniversary of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide”, Bangladesh joins the international community in paying solemn tribute to the victims of genocide throughout the history of the world and reiterates its firm commitment to preventing such heinous crimes." She added, "The pain and trauma inflicted on us in 1971 motivate us to seek an end to genocide anywhere and demand justice for the victims of this heinous crime."

She pointed out that despite the obligation of the global community to prevent the crimes of genocide, many innocent people across the globe continue to face atrocities, oppression and systematic persecution caused by xenophobia, intolerance and hatred,

While highlighting the persecution of the Rohingyas in Myanmar, she said, "The desperate Rohingyas want to return to their homeland. We urge the international community to help these people to exercise their right to return to Myanmar at the earliest and ensure that they can live in Myanmar in safety and security."

She called upon the international community to undertake concerted action to address the root causes of genocide, and ensure justice to the victims to prevent the recurrence of any future genocide anywhere in the world.