A significant step toward international recognition of the 1971 atrocities in Bangladesh has emerged from the United States Congress, where a resolution has been introduced calling for the mass killings carried out by Pakistani forces to be formally acknowledged as genocide.

The proposal, tabled in the House of Representatives by Democratic Congressman Greg Landsman, urges the US President to officially recognize the crimes committed during the Bangladesh Liberation War as genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. The resolution, identified as H.Res. 1130, has been referred to the House Foreign Affairs Committee for further consideration.

According to reporting by Dhaka Tribune, the resolution also calls for accountability for collaborators, specifically mentioning Jamaat-e-Islami for its alleged role in supporting the Pakistani military’s campaign of violence. It further stresses the importance of preserving historical truth to prevent such atrocities from recurring.

The document outlines the political tensions leading up to 1971, noting systemic discrimination against Bengalis by West Pakistan’s ruling elite following the 1947 partition. It highlights the electoral victory of the Awami League under Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1970, and the subsequent failure to transfer power, which culminated in the military crackdown known as Operation Searchlight on March 25.

Drawing on contemporary reports and official communications, the resolution presents varying estimates of the death toll, ranging from tens of thousands to several hundred thousand. It also underscores the widespread sexual violence during the war, noting that more than 200,000 women were subjected to rape, while acknowledging that the full extent may never be known due to stigma.

The proposal references influential documentation from the time, including journalist Anthony Mascarenhas’s report titled Genocide and a telegram from US Consul General Archer Blood, who described the situation as a selective genocide targeting Bengalis and Hindus. It also cites findings by US Senator Edward Kennedy, who reported a systematic campaign of terror against the Hindu population, including marking homes and widespread looting.

Further support is drawn from a 1972 study by the International Commission of Jurists, which found credible evidence of a planned genocidal campaign, particularly against Hindus.

If adopted, the resolution would mark a major diplomatic and historical milestone, reinforcing long-standing calls for global recognition of the events of 1971 as genocide and strengthening Bangladesh’s position in preserving the legacy of its Liberation War.

BOB Post