PARIS: The Chairman of Baloch National Movement (BNM), Dr. Naseem Baloch has called for international recognition and accountability over the 1971 Bangladesh genocide, urging that the issue be raised at global platforms, including the United Nations.
In a statement shared on the social media platform X, he described March 25, 1971, as one of the darkest days in South Asian history, marking the beginning of a large-scale military operation by Pakistan known as Operation Searchlight. He said the operation led to the systematic targeting and killing of thousands of civilians, including students, intellectuals and political activists in Bangladesh.
Dr. Baloch stated that the events of 1971 were not merely a security crackdown but a “calculated campaign of mass violence, ethnic persecution and suppression of democratic will.” He noted that although the international community was aware of the atrocities, comprehensive justice was never pursued, allowing those responsible to avoid accountability.
Emphasizing the need for action, he urged Bangladesh to take the matter to international forums, particularly the United Nations, stressing that recognition of the genocide and accountability for those responsible are essential for ensuring justice and preventing similar incidents in the future.
He further linked the lack of accountability in 1971 to ongoing human rights concerns, arguing that it has contributed to a broader pattern of impunity. Referring to the situation in Balochistan, Dr. Baloch highlighted the enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings and collective punishment.
“Justice delayed has become justice denied,” he said, adding that acknowledging the 1971 genocide and pursuing accountability is crucial to breaking cycles of violence and upholding international human rights principles.
The statement concluded with a call for global attention to both historical and ongoing human rights issues, underscoring the importance of accountability under international law.
