686 ংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ ত্রয়োদশ খন্ড The sub-paragraph in the preamble of the Article 20 (3) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which speaks about equal rights of.... men and women also reaffirms "faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human persons". The Universal Declaration of Human Rights also lays down in its preamble that member- States have pledged themselves to achieve "the promotion of universal respect for an observance of human rights and fundamental freedom", Therefore, the saga of Bangladesh is not and cannot be construed as an internal matter. Racialism was being practiced and fundamental human rights were being denied. This matter is of international concern. If the United Nations was entitled to intervene in South Africa, then intervention in East Bengal could have been equally, if not more, justified. It is ironical that Mr. Bhutto who was shouting at the top of his head at the United Nations against repression of the African majorities who are seeking liberation in Rhodesia and South Africa, is pursuing methods which are no different from those of Ian Smith and John Vorster. This is a case of the kette calling the pot black, Can it be regarded that the systematic annihilation and terrorization of defenseless civilian population of Bangladesh by the West Pakistan junta fall exclusively within the internal jurisdiction of Pakistan, so that the other nations of the world have no moral or legal obligation to check these excesses? It is difficult to be a passive spectator to the outrageous and macabre inflictions imposed on one race by another as is going on in Bangladesh. What in actual effect Yahya Khan is practicing is genocide, which has been declared a crime under International Law. The UN General Assembly in 1948 laid down that genocide is a crime and persons responsible for it are punishable under International Law. If Pakistan has any international obligation to observe human rights, any breach of such an obligation cannot be dismissed simply as an internal problem. The West Pakistan action constitutes a threat to international peace and security. Under Article 39, Chapter VII of the Charter, the UN has a direct obligation to determine the existence of any such breach of the peace and has equally an obligation to decide what measures it should take in accordance with Articles 41 and 42 to maintain or restore international peace and security. This part of the world has now become another Vietnam and that it is ironical again that West Pakistan which has been eloquent in denouncing the killing in Vietnam, should mow down by machinegun fire in four days more civilians than have been killed in four years in Vietnam. The holocaust in Bangladesh has cost the inevitable spill-over of refugees into India. Over 8 million have fled to India. This number is increasing at the rate of about 40,000 daily a poor country and the refugee problem, should be tackled by the nations of the world in a concerted manner. It is gratifying to note that the Scandinavian countries have offered money to the refugees but this is not enough. The floods in West Bengal have aggravated the situation. It is hoped that our meeting would be fruitful and not an exercise in futility. We want to see result-tangible results, We recommend:
