Trial of Pakistan's 1971 Genocide: It's for Bangladesh to decide
“History is history and whatever was signed was signed at that particular time. It’s the prerogative of the Bangladesh government to have its own perspective on the matter”
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram Kumar Doraiswami on Monday indicated the trial of Pakistani genocide committed during the 1971 Liberation War can take place anytime as there is no statute of limitations in terms of times.
"To the best of my knowledge, there's no statute of limitations on genocide. The genocide convention makes it very clear that there is no statute of limitations in terms of time, and there's no statute of limitations on any kind of arrangement that may have been arrived at," he said.
So, the High Commissioner said, this (genocide trial) is something that's entirely within the "prerogative" of the government of Bangladesh to assess the history and see how this goes forward.
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Doraiswami came up with the remarks when asked which provision of the 1974 tripartite agreement is holding back to try the Pakistani generals who committed genocide during the War of Liberation in 1971.
Sharing his 'personal understanding' of the international law on this matter, he also suggested that the 1974 agreement must be looked at from the context of that time since it was done to ensure that Bangladeshis in Pakistan custody can return home.
"History is history and whatever was signed was signed at that particular time. It's the prerogative of the Bangladesh government to have its own perspective on the matter," said the Indian envoy noting that the question is historically very relevant in this historic year when Bangladesh is set to celebrate the 50 years of its Independence.
The High Commissioner said they would certainly watch it with sympathy and understanding.
The Indian diplomat was speaking at 'DCAB Talk' organised by the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) at the Jatiya Press Club. DCAB President Pantho Rahman and General Secretary AKM Moinuddin also spoke at the event.
Bangladesh has recently reiterated the importance of resolving outstanding bilateral issues with Pakistan, including an official apology from Pakistan for the genocide it committed during Bangladesh's Liberation War in 1971.
Bangladesh also sought completion of the repatriation of stranded Pakistanis in Bangladesh and settling the issue of the division of assets.
Bangladesh also made it clear that it cannot forget the atrocities committed by Pakistan in 1971 and the pain will remain there forever.
