London premiere of Shahriar Kabir’s War Crimes 71
Ansar Ahmed Ullah, London
16 October, 2008
A special London screening of the documentary ‘War Crimes 71’ made by, acting president of Nirmul Committee, Shahriar Kabir was held on Oct 16 at University of London, SOAS’s Khalili auditorium. The film documented some of the dreadful acts committed against humanity by the war criminals during 1971. Through the eyes of three youth the film searches for the truth by researching facts, rare footage & documents and interviewing eminent personalities, including many Pakistanis and war victims.
The screening was organized jointly by University of London’s Centre for Ethnic Minority Studies, School of Oriental & African Studies and UK chapter of Nirmul Committee.
Following the film screening a brief discussion was held after the documentary screening, presided over by Prof Werner Menski, SOAS. Lord Avebury, House of Lords, Abbas Faiz, Amnesty International, Dr. Irfan Al Alawi, International Director Center for Islamic Pluralism and the filmmaker himself Shahriar Kabir were the discussants at the event.
Lord Avebury said it is the responsibility of people of UK to assist legally, technically and financially the people of Bangladesh in their quest for justice. He further said, the UK could assist by creating an archive of witness testimonies and film footage. Abbas Faiz said the failure to try war criminals has encouraged a culture of impunity. He said Amnesty believes establishing an enquiry commission would be a first step to seek justice for the victims whose human rights were violated in 71. Dr Alawi said Jamaat-e-Islam, who were responsible for collaborating with Pakistani army, are followers of fundamentalist Deobandi movement and extreme Wahabbism, funded by the Saudi regime.
The discussants felt the documentary would assist generating awareness amongst not only Bengalis but South Asians including Pakistanis and Europeans on the need for trial of the war criminals.Media coverage
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