Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh
Embassy of Bangladesh
Paris, France
Date: Paris, Saturday 25 March 2017
Press Release
Bangladesh Embassy in Paris observed the 25th March as the “Genocide day”
The Embassy of Bangladesh in Paris observed the 25th March as the “Genocide Day” with due solemnity at the Embassy. The program began with the observance of one minute silence showing respect to the martyrs on the night of the 25th March in 1971 and all the martyrs of the glorious liberation war. Messages on the occasion given by the Hon’ble President and Hon’ble Prime Minister of Bangladesh were read out.
In his speech, Bangladesh Ambassador to France Mr. M. Shahidul Islam paid humble tribute to the martyrs of the 25th night and the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman who led for the emancipation of the Bengali nation. He also paid tribute to the valiant freedom fighters, who made supreme sacrifice for the cause of the independence of Bangladesh in 1971. The Ambassador stated about the clarion call by Hon’ble Prime Minister in materializing the dream of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman of building a Golden Bangladesh. He informed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was in the process of acquiring UN recognition of 25 March as Genocide Day to create global awareness against mass killings and genocide. He encouraged the freedom fighters living in Paris to express their support for the effort of the Government.
A discussion meeting was held on the background and significance of the Genocide Day. Mr. Firoz Uddin, Commercial Counsellor of the Embassy; freedom fighter Mr. Benjeer Ahmed Selim, and freedom fighter Mr. Md. Jamirul Islam Miah took part in the discussion. The speakers recalled with heavy heart that on the night of 25th March in 1971, the Pakistani forces launched the “Operation Searchlight” which was a brutal and barbaric military assault on an unsuspecting civilian population aimed at crushing the movement of Bengalis for establishing their rights. The freedom fighters expressed their deep appreciation and gratitude to the Government of Bangladesh for declaring 25th March as the “Genocide Day”, which once again recognized their sacrifice and contribution to the war of liberation in 1971.
A special prayer session seeking Almighty Allah’s blessings for eternal peace of the souls of the martyrs on the 25th night in 1971, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, all martyrs of the liberation war in 1971 and also for the peace and prosperity of the country, under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was done by expatriate Bangladeshi Hafej Md. Wahidur Rahman. At the end of the program, the Ambassador handed over new text books for the students of the France-Bangla School in Paris, to the President of France Muktijoddhah Shanghati Parishad, the organization running the School.
Ambassador M. Shahidul Islam addresses at the observance of the “Genocide day” program on 25 March 2017 at the Embassy
Embassy officials and freedom fighters at the observance of the “Genocide day” program on 25 March 2017 at the Embassy
Ambassador M. Shahidul Islam handing over new text books, for the students of the France-Bangla School in Paris, to the President of France Muktijoddhah Shanghati Parishad, at the observance of the “Genocide day” program on 25 March 2017 at the Embassy