1971-08-01
By Reuters
TRANSCRIPT: SEQ. 7: "The People's Republic of Bangla Desh is today established in the heart of the 75 million people of Bangla Desh. And our young men, the members of the Liberation Forces, are engaged in throwing out the invading army of Yahya Khan."
SEQ. 8: STONEHOUSE: "They are fighting against the worst repression of the human race that the world has seen since the days of Hitler. And those people who now clean their consciences with having fought against Hitler during the last war, should be ashamed that they do not now condemn an evil which is just as great."
Initials OS/127 OS/141
Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
Background: From all over Britain, East Pakistanis converged on London's Trafalgar Square by the bus load today (Sunday, August 1), to hold a rally in support of self-government for the 75-million people of Bangla Desh. The Action Bangla Desh Committee, who seek independence from the central Government in West Pakistan through political pressure, organised the rally. The Committee also sent a message to Prime Minister Edward Heath, urging him to raise allegations of genocide before the United Nations Security Council, and to demand that the USA cease to sell arms to the Pakistan Government.
It was a peaceful demonstration - but an impassioned one, as many of those present still have relatives in East Pakistan or living as refugees in India.
There were several speakers and one of them, Mr. Justice Chaudri, said:
Another speaker was John Stonehouse, M.P., who added:
There is a British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) commentary in English over the whole film.
SYNOPSIS: Ten thousand East Pakistanis converged on Trafalgar Square in London on Sunday, to hold a rally in support of seventy-five million people of Bangla Desh.
The demonstration was organised by the Action Bangla Desh Committee, who seek independence from the central Government in West Pakistan through political pressure. Many carried posters proclaiming the leadership of Sheikh Mujib - who is currently being held by the Government to be tried for treason.
Main speaker of the day was Mr. Justice Chaudri:
After the rally, a delegation headed by Mr. Justice Chaudri and Mr. Stonehouse, went to ten Downing Street to deliver a petition asking Prime Minister Edward Heath to raise allegations of genocide at the United Nations Security Council; to demand that the United States cease to sell arms to the Pakistan Government; and to ask Britain to recognise the Bangla Desh Government.