On 21 October 1971 a document was released (published) by Oxfam London called ‘The Testimony of Sixty’ with an appeal to the world leaders, documenting the facts of what was happening in the then East Pakistan. Edward Kennedy, Mother Teresa and international journalists such as Michael Brunson (ITN), Claire Hollingworth (Daily Telegraph), John Pilger (Daily Mirror), along with relief workers from USA, Canada, Europe, Britain and India all contributed their testimony; it was their attempt to describe the genocide that was taking place in East Pakistan camouflaged by West Pakistan diplomacy. It was their record, their voice and their testimony of a tragedy, appealing to the world leaders to act immediately and stop the senseless brutality by the Pakistan Military Junta.

The Liberation War Museum commemorates that day and is distributing the facsimile edition of the document to the Head of the Governments across the world to help them understand what had happened in 1971 and continues even today in some parts of the world. This is going out to the world leaders with a plea to put a stop to such heinous acts of crime and help make ‘Never Again’ a reality, rather than just a slogan.

We also want to add that the perpetrators of the 1971 crimes committed in Bangladesh have remained unpunished and as the Government of Bangladesh prepares to bring them to justice we want the world to know about it and support the trial, that is the process to make ‘Never Again’ a reality in our country at least.

We as a nation have been the victims of crimes against humanity, genocide, atrocity and mass destruction in 1971. Therefore we understand what it is to be deprived of human rights. We are hence not willing to have a trial that will not meet the international standard or is going to be politically motivated. The law of the land protects all individuals and the law (International Crimes (Tribunal) Act 1973) under which the Trial will be held meets the international legal requirements.

We appeal to you all to support our cause and the Trial so that we can put an end to the blemish that has been dividing our nation for too long and not allowing us to move forward. On this auspicious day we once again express our gratitude to the people of the world and various governments and political leaders for extending their solidarity to our people in 1971 and hope to get their renewed support in the trial to upheld truth and justice.

We are organizing a program on Oct 21 in the UN Headquarter with the help of the Bangladesh Mission in New York, the Embassy in Washington and the Friends of LWM in USA.. We will also hand them over to their Ambassadors/High Commissioners in Dhaka, Bangladesh on that day. You can also make arrangement to have it handed over to your elected representative or the head of state in the country you are residing or organize your community to make them aware of this action and make the trial of those who committed crimes against humanity and Genocide in 1971 a reality. In Bangladesh let us renew our pledge to make sure the trial is held free and fair and commit ourselves to our country and the spirit of the Liberation War to make a better world for our future generation.