BNP writes to UN to probe “genocide” during student movement

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Dhaka, Aug 13 - BNP Tuesday submitted a letter to the United Nations for an international investigation into the "genocide" committed by the ousted Sheikh Hasina government during the student-led mass movement.

Amir Khosru  Mahmud Chowdhury, a member of the BNP Standing Committee, handed over the letter to the UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh, Gwyn Lewis, at her Gulshan office.

Later, talking to reporters, he said BNP requested the UN to unearth the full extent of the incidents of the massacre and killings perpetrated against Bangladeshi citizens under the ‘illegal’ Awami League government through an impartial and transparent investigation that adheres to international standards.

Chowdhury said the letter would be forwarded to the UN headquarters from the UN Resident Coordinator’s office.

He emphasised the necessity of exposing the unprecedented murders and incidents of enforced disappearances that occurred under the deposed autocratic ruler Sheikh Hasina.

“It is crucial to bring to light the massacres carried out with government backing and to reveal these incidents to both the citizens of our country and the global community in a bid to free the nation from the stigma. We need to do it so that no one in Bangladesh dares to kill their own citizens and cling to power forcefully in the future,” the BNP leader said,

Khosru said they called for a thorough, impartial and acceptable investigation by the UN also to free the nation from the stigma.

He said their party also urged the interim government to tell the United Nations to conduct the investigation as per the desire of the nation.

When asked about the subject of this investigation, Khosru said, "The investigation will be on genocide. The fact that the genocide took place under the direct patronage of a government requires an impartial and transparent investigation with international standards.”

He, however, said seeking a UN investigation does not contradict the country’s legal system, as there was no effective legal framework during the Awami League’s rule. “We are now gradually getting it back… The genocide that took place was abhorred and protested by the entire world.”

“We feel that the nation must be de-stigmatized through a transparent and impartial investigation adhering to international standards. If we can’t highlight these things, autocrats and such fascist governments will emerge in the future...They will attempt to stay in power by killing people and making them disappear. We want to end this cycle forever,” the BNP leader said.

In response to a question, Khosru stated that it is their own decision whether those involved in genocide will return to Bangladesh to engage in politics.

“But there should be no doubt in anyone's mind that they will be tried for genocide. Both the party and individuals involved will face this trial,” he said. - UNB