UN observes 71st anniversary of ‘Genocide Convention’

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DHAKA, Dec 10, 2019 (BSS) – The UN observed the 71st anniversary of the ‘Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide’ and the ‘International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide’, at the UN headquaters in New York on Monday.

“Today should be about renewing our commitment towards collective actions in preventing and addressing any future or ongoing genocide anywhere in the world,” the Permanent Representative (PR) of Bangladesh to the UN Ambassador Rabab Fatima said quoting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s message on this day, said a release reached here today.

Recalling the Genocide during the War of Liberation of Bangladesh in 1971, Ambassador Fatima said that it is one of the worst genocides of human history but regrettably, it has not been able to find its rightful place and recognition in the international genocide discourse including at the United Nations.

“As a nation, we observe the 25th of March as the ‘Genocide Day’ to pay tribute to the victims of the 1971 genocide in Bangladesh, and to all genocide victims globally”, Fatima added.

On this occasion, Ambassador Fatima also mentioned of the atrocities since August 2017 in the Rakhine state, said the release.

The PR also attended a high-level Pledging Event of the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) titled “a Fund for all by all” at the UNHQs.

In her statement she mentioned that Bangladesh is a major recipient of CERF, as well as a donor.

She thanked CERF for funding the humanitarian needs of the Rohingyas at the camps in Cox’s Bazar and reiterated Bangladesh’s continued support to CERF and its endeavors to save the distressed humanity.