The dark shadow of genocide denial in Bangladesh
Genocide denial in the context of Bangladesh is a grave injustice that perpetuates the suffering of victims and undermines the collective memory of a nation
Genocide denial is a pernicious phenomenon that undermines the dignity of victims, distorts historical narratives, and obstructs the process of reconciliation and healing. Denial carries a distinct weight as it is the final stage of genocide. Perpetrators deliberately distort facts and evidence and reinterpret the events through manipulative information. Denial of genocide strives to reshape history in order to demonise victims and rehabilitate the perpetrators. It is what Elie Wiesel has called a "Double Killing".
In the context of Bangladesh, the denial of the genocide perpetrated during the 1971 Liberation War stands as a stark reminder of the challenges that lay in confronting past atrocities and fostering a culture of truth and accountability. The 1971 Liberation War marks a dark chapter in the history of Bangladesh, then East Pakistan. The struggle for independence from West Pakistan, fueled by socio-economic disparities and cultural differences, culminated in a brutal crackdown by the Pakistani military. The nine-month-long conflict witnessed widespread atrocities, including mass killings, rape and the displacement of millions.
On the night of 25 March 1971, the Pakistani military launched Operation Searchlight, a brutal crackdown aimed at suppressing the Bangalee nationalist movement. The military targeted key Bangalee political leaders, intellectuals and students, resulting in mass killings and arrests. The Pakistani military collaborated with militias such as the Razakars, Al-Badr and Al-Shams to suppress the independence movement.
Throughout the nine-month-long conflict, the Pakistani military and their collaborators carried out massacres and indiscriminate killings of Bangalee civilians, including men, women and children with an estimated death toll of around 3 million.
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The Pakistani military systematically used rape and sexual violence as weapons of war to terrorise and subjugate the Bangalee population. The violence and persecution perpetrated by the Pakistani military forced millions of Bangalees to flee their homes and seek refuge in neighbouring India. On 14 December, as part of a campaign, the Pakistani military orchestrated the abduction, torture and murder of professors, journalists, writers and artists, aiming to cripple the emerging independent Bangalee identity. It became known as the "Intellectual Genocide."
Despite the overwhelming evidence of the atrocities committed during the Liberation War, including testimonies, documentation and international acknowledgement, denial persists among certain quarters. Deniers often attempt to downplay the scale of the violence, discredit survivors' accounts, and propagate revisionist narratives aimed at absolving the perpetrators of their crimes.
The birth of Bangladesh as an independent nation in 1971 was indeed marred by the harrowing events of genocide, as expressed in the nation's very first legal document, the Proclamation of Independence. This proclamation highlighted the ruthless and savage war conducted by the Pakistani authorities, which included numerous acts of genocide and unprecedented torture inflicted upon the civilian and unarmed people of Bangladesh.
The denial of these atrocities by Pakistan began even as the war was ongoing. The only postwar inquiry commission established by the Pakistani government after its humiliating surrender in 1971 was the Hamoodur Rahman Commission (HRC). Initially tasked with investigating the cause of the Pakistani Army's defeat, the HRC's report shed light on the atrocities committed during the conflict.
However, the testimonies gathered by the HRC revealed a disturbing lack of remorse or guilt among some Pakistani military officials. Major General Rao Forman Ali dismissed accusations of rape, loot and harassment as mere tales. Brigadier Shah Abdul Qasim attributed the excessive use of force by the Pakistani Army to anger and revenge.
Similarly, Maj. Gen. Nazar Hussain Shah and Lt. Col. S.M. Naeem partially acknowledged the killings but downplayed their severity. Lt. Col. Mansoorul Haq even confessed to a general feeling of hatred towards the people of East Pakistan and verbal instructions to eliminate Hindus.
The HRC report brazenly denied the scale of the atrocities, characterising the estimated three million killings as highly exaggerated. It also downplayed reports of rape and justified the aggression towards Bangalee people as a war between purity and impurity, with Hindus being portrayed as the "impure" faction.
In recent years, there have been controversial interpretations of the events of 1971, with authors like Sarmila Bose garnering criticism for presenting a different history of the conflict. Bose's book, "Dead Reckoning," has been praised by some Pakistani readers for its purportedly unbiased approach.
Bose's assertion that violence erupted from both sides and that many Bangalees also committed atrocities against non-Bengalis has sparked debate and controversy. Furthermore, her characterisation of the war as a civil conflict within Pakistan, later exacerbated by India's involvement, and her estimate of 50,000 to 1,00,000 deaths have been met with scepticism by many who argue that it minimises the extent of the genocide.
The motives driving genocide denial in the context of Bangladesh are multifaceted. They range from geopolitical considerations to ideological affiliations and nationalist sentiments. Some deny the genocide to preserve political alliances or protect the reputation of institutions implicated in the violence, while others seek to perpetuate divisive narratives for their own agenda.
The denial of the 1971 genocide inflicts further trauma on survivors and their descendants, depriving them of acknowledgement and justice. Moreover, it hampers the process of reconciliation and national healing by perpetuating intergenerational grievances and impeding efforts to address historical injustices. Denial also fosters a culture of impunity, emboldening future perpetrators and undermining the rule of law.
Combatting genocide denial in Bangladesh poses significant challenges, including legal limitations, political obstacles and societal divisions. The absence of comprehensive transitional justice mechanisms, coupled with a lack of political will to confront the past, impedes progress towards accountability and reconciliation. Moreover, the spread of misinformation and propaganda in the age of digital media complicates efforts to counter denial and promote historical truth. Governments must enact legislation that criminalises denial and promotes historical truth-telling.
The International Crimes (Tribunals) Act 1973, was enacted to provide for the detention, prosecution and punishment of persons responsible for committing genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and other crimes under international law. Civil society organisations like the Liberation War Museum play a crucial role in raising awareness, documenting testimonies and advocating for justice on behalf of victims. Additionally, educational reforms are needed to ensure that future generations are taught an accurate and inclusive version of history that acknowledges past atrocities.
Genocide denial in the context of Bangladesh is a grave injustice that perpetuates the suffering of victims and undermines the collective memory of a nation. Confronting denial requires courage, perseverance, and a commitment to truth and accountability. By acknowledging the past and holding perpetrators accountable, Bangladesh can pave the way for a more just and reconciled society, where the voices of survivors are heard, and the lessons of history are never forgotten.
Md. Shawkat Alam Faisal is an Apprentice Lawyer at the Bangladesh Bar Council and LL.M (International Law) Candidate at the Department of Law, University of Rajshahi.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of The Business Standard.
