Genocide Scholars recognises 1971 genocide by Pakistan during Bangladesh Liberation War

The International Association of Genocide Scholars has adopted a resolution recognising the genocide committed by Pakistan during Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971.

The "Resolution to Declare the Crimes Committed during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War as Genocide, Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes" was issued on Monday, reads a press release of the Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Founded in 1994, Genocide Scholars is a global, interdisciplinary, non-partisan organisation that seeks to undertake further research and teaching about the nature, causes, and consequences of genocide; and to advance policy studies on genocide prevention.

To date, Genocide Scholars has adopted several formal resolutions with a view to recognising genocides that occurred in various parts of the world. The association holds biennial conferences and co-publishes the journal "Genocide Studies and Prevention".

The Bangladesh government has been making continuous efforts to achieve international recognition of the genocide that was carried out against the mass people during the Liberation War in 1971, says the foreign ministry press release.

"The Bangladesh government is determined to persist its relentless endeavour for getting more and more international recognition of Bangladesh Genocide of 1971 in the days ahead," it added.

The Genocide Scholars resolution is a significant recognition in the international arena. Thus, the adoption of the 1971 Bangladesh Genocide resolution is an important stepping stone towards receiving due recognition from the wider international community, the foreign ministry said.