Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) submitted a letter to the United Nations (UN) to conduct an impartial, transparent, and international investigation into the "genocide" committed by the ousted Sheikh Hasina government during the student-led mass movement across the country.
BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and Organizing Secretary Shama Obaid handed over the appeal to the UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh, Gwyn Lewis, at her Gulshan office on Tuesday.
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 also emphasized the need to expose the mass killings that have occurred in Bangladesh's political history, saying, "To cleanse the nation's conscience, the atrocities committed under government sponsorship, both domestically and internationally, must be brought to light. This is necessary to prevent future governments from resorting to such violence to hold onto power. Therefore, we have requested the UN to conduct a clean, impartial, and acceptable investigation into these incidents." He also mentioned that the interim government has been asked to support the UN in this endeavor.
When asked about the case against Sheikh Hasina, Chowdhury responded, "There will be an investigation into the genocide. The genocide was directly sponsored by the government. An investigation is necessary, but it doesn't mean it conflicts with the existing laws of the country. What happens internally is a separate matter."
The BNP leader further stated, "If we fail to reveal the truth through this investigation, future autocratic governments might attempt to remain in power through enforced disappearances and killings. We want to put an end to this once and for all."
SKB
