The main feature of our liberation war is genocide and torture. The Genocide and Torture carried out by Pakistan Army and their collaborators during the liberation war of Bangladesh (East Pakistan) in 1971 can hardly be compared with any other massacre in the world history. After World War II, such number of people have never been killed together nowhere in the world but in Bangladesh within just nine months in the year 1971. In just nine months the Pakistani army and their collaborators have killed 3 million Bengali people. This massive massacre of Pakistan created a huge buzz around the world in favor of Bengali nation. Still Bangladesh has not yet been able to gain international recognition of genocide committed in 1971. Moreover, the distortion of the history of the Liberation War has been fueled by local and international propaganda as they tried to fake the number of martyred and persecuted people. Even war criminals have been rewarded. Important avenues of this country have been named after those criminals. So, we cannot deny the responsibility of the new war that we are fighting in the 21st century.
Because, we’ve been glorifying our Victory over Genocide-Torture since Independence. Our indifference on Genocide-Torture let the distortion of history grow like lush bush. The youth, who are supposed to take the opportunity to build a non-communal Bangladesh, are confused now.
Under these such circumstances, Dhaka University ‘Bangabandhu Chair’ Professor D. Muntassir Mamoon, the Chairman of ‘Bangladesh Itihas Sommiloni’, Bangladesh based social organization aims to study, practice, and spread secular and pro-people history, proposed country’s first ever Genocide and Torture Museum in Khulna. After his proposal, ‘1971: Genocide and torture Archive and Museum’ was founded in Khulna city on May 2014. Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has given us land and house to support this noble cause. After redecorating the place, the museum has been re-launched at its own building on 26 March 2016. It’s the very first Genocide Museum not just in Bangladesh but in South Asia. Professor Mamoon has been the president of the museum trust since its inception. People of different ages and classes, especially students are visiting the museum regularly.
§ To identify district based genocide, torture, mass killing site, and mass graves in order to bring the massacre of the genocide to light from the oblivion.
§ To build the biggest online and offline archives of Bangladesh on genocide and torture.
§ To organize liberation war based interactive exhibitions, competitions among children and teenagers on a regular basis.
§ To publish memorial treatise, genocide index on the basis of testimonies of the people who experienced mass killing sites.
§ To organizing national and international seminars and martyr memorial lecture on genocide and torture.
§ To develop Liberation War researchers around the country by proper training.
§ To create a platform for youth for keeping the practice of history of liberation war running among young generation.
§ Advocacy for International recognition of genocide committed in Bangladesh in 1971.
In order to achieve our goals, an international standard research center needs to be set up in the first place. With the help of the Planning Commission of Bangladesh we have launched a project titled ‘Establishment of Centre for Genocide-Torture and Liberation War Studies’ on 03 April 2017 which is financed by the Ministry of Culture, Bangladesh. From the beginning of the project, Professor Dr. Muntassir Mamoon took charge as Project Director. Under his dynamic leadership, the following activities are being carried out successfully:
1. Bi yearly post graduate Training course on Genocide-Torture and Liberation War.
2. National and International seminar and martyrs memorial lecture:
3. Installation of memorials on Killing fields.
4. Establishing an enrich genocide library and archives.
5. Publication of Genocide Index and Books.
6. Award Senior and Junior Fellowship and conduct nationwide genocide survey.
7. Produce Documentary on Genocide and Liberation War.
Besides all these, The Genocide Museum has earned achievements to be proud of. They are:
§ Joint exhibition with National Museum of Bangladesh.
§ Joint exhibition with the Government of Tripura titled 'Genocide - Torture: 1971'.
§ On our proposal, Government of Tripura has built memorial park to preserve the memory of our liberation war and inside this park, a sculpture garden resembling our liberation war was made under the supervision of 1971: Genocide-Torture Archive & Museum.
§ Decorated a gallery at Tripura Museum dedicated to our liberation war. And the name of the room is titled, 'Liberation War and Tripura 1971'.
§ Bangladesh Post Office has published a commemorative envelop on our second anniversary.
§ Art exhibition and painting competition has been organized in 30 different schools of Khulna by the Genocide Museum.
Besides, rare memoirs, memorabilia and images of genocide and torture are displayed in the museum. A sales center has been opened to sell books and souvenirs. A quality cafeteria is underway. An open stage has been built inside the museum which is used by the cultural activists in exchange of a minimum courtesy fee.
It takes huge time, cost and labor to set up a Museum, and we believe, it’s the holy duty for all pro-liberation war spirited people to help flourishing the museum. Please, donate us any souvenir, books, publications, documents, or anything related to genocide archive and museum. With your unconditional support we would like to spread our activities in upcoming years and make this museum more institutional.
