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Bangladesh seeks apology from Pakistan for 1971 atrocities

Bangladesh called for a formal apology from Pakistan for the 'genocide and atrocities' committed by its military in 1971.

The demand was made by Bangladesh's new foreign minister, Dipu Moni, to the Pakistan's new envoy to Bangladesh, on Monday.

A statement released by the ministry read,

"[Moni] sought Pakistan's understanding and recognition of Bangladesh's position on resolving the outstanding issues including an expression of formal apology from Pakistan for the genocide and atrocities committed by the Pakistani military in 1971."

"Early resolution of the outstanding issues would enable the existing friendly relations between Bangladesh and Pakistan to make a great leap forward and create a wider space for cooperation."

The demand for an apology comes as Bangladesh's war crimes tribunal charged its first suspect. Delawar Hossain Sayedee, a senior leader of the Jamat-e-Islami party, was charged with war crimes including mass murder, rape, looting and forcibly converting Hindus.

Pakistani troops, aided by sympathetic locals, are accused of unleashing widespread violence, killing over 3 million people and raping more than 200,000 women during the nine month Bangladeshi war of independence in 1971.

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