Notes on the Shahbag Uprising: War Crimes and Forgiveness in Bangladesh

Introduction to the Shahbag Uprising

• Date and Location: Organized on February 5, 2013, at Shahbag Mor, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
• Background: Young activists protested against war criminals, leading to significant public mobilization.
• Significance of the Name Change: Shahbag intersection renamed Projonmo Chottor (New Generation Roundabout) reflecting the new activism focusing on justice for atrocities committed in the 1971 War of Liberation.
• Catalyst for the Uprising: The life imprisonment sentence of Abdul Quader Mollah (Jamaat-e-Islami secretary general) for war crimes sparked outrage due to expectations of a death penalty.

Six-Point Demand of the Protesters

• The demonstrators presented a six-point demand on February 21, 2013, coinciding with International Mother Language Day:
  1. Arrest the killers of martyrs from Jamaat-Shibir within a week.
  2. Initiate legal processes by March 26 to ban Jamaat-Shibir as a war criminal organization.
  3. Establish an independent committee to investigate Jamaat-Shibir's funding and hold them accountable.
  4. Permanently establish the International War Crimes Tribunal for ongoing judicial processes.
  5. Ensure safety of the public by mobilizing law enforcement against terrorism and make their actions visible in the media.
  6. Address media outlets that protect war criminals and incite fundamentalism.

Response from Jamaat-e-Islami

• Jamaat-e-Islami and the Islami Chhatra Shibir responded with threats of violence against protesters and instigated riots on February 22 and a nationwide strike on February 24, following the murder of activist Rajib Haider on February 15.

The Theme of Forgiveness

• Personal Reflections: The article opens with a powerful quote from M. Subasic, expressing that forgiveness for victims of violence can re-victimize them and calls for accountability.
• Forgiveness Literature: Discusses how true forgiveness requires facing perpetrators—Bangladeshis reportedly have lacked this opportunity since the Pakistani war criminals were repatriated without trials.
• Historical Context: Political contexts—specifically the military coup of 1975—allowed war crimes perpetrators to gain political power and evade justice.

Implications of Continued Impunity

• Consequences: Failure to confront and document history has perpetuated mass amnesia regarding the atrocities of 1971, leading to unresolved collective trauma.
• Intergenerational Trauma: A widespread and deeply ingrained feeling of victimization persists through generations due to political manipulation of historical narratives.

Function of the International War Crimes Tribunal

• The tribunal is seen as a vital step for Bangladeshis to achieve psychological closure and legal justice, potentially restoring moral equality between victims and perpetrators.
• However, true forgiveness may be stymied without genuine remorse from those who committed atrocities—Jamaat-e-Islami and Pakistani officials are unlikely to extend apologies, complicating reconciliation efforts.

Moving Towards a Resolution

• Longing for Peace: Despite the painful past, the protesters desire progress and peace built through justice and accurate historical representation.
• Hope in Shahbag: The uprising may signal a turning point for Bangladesh to confront its violent history and seek a path toward healing and reconciliation.
• Public Empowerment: As noted by Ambassador Dan Mozena, the protests represent a fundamental democratic expression, providing a platform for ongoing dialogue about justice and societal change.

Conclusion

• The Shahbag Uprising encapsulates the hopes of a generation wanting to address historical injustices and collectively organize towards a better future.
• By engaging in demands for justice, the protesters symbolize a critical step in overcoming the historical trauma associated with the Liberation War and moving towards a more inclusive and democratic society.