U.S., Once Opposed to Bangladesh’s Liberation War, Now Interested in Creating a Database of Freedom Fighters

❐ Staff Reporter

The United States, which directly opposed the 1971 Liberation War and sent the Seventh Fleet to aid Pakistan, has now expressed interest in protecting the ‘accurate history’ of Bangladesh’s great Liberation War and creating a database of freedom fighters.

US Ambassador to Dhaka Brent Christensen expressed interest in technical cooperation and experience exchange through the Public Diplomacy Team in this important chapter of the Liberation War.

The ambassador expressed this interest during a meeting with Liberation War Affairs Minister Ahmed Azam Khan at his office on Monday, July 27.

A press release from the ministry said that the meeting discussed in detail the preservation of the history of the 1971 Liberation War and the August 2024 movement to overthrow the government, the welfare of the families of the deceased, and the medical and social rehabilitation activities of the injured.

At that time, Minister Ahmed Azam Khan was accompanied by Secretary Ashraful Islam, Additional Secretary (Planning and Development) Ziauddin Ahmed and Joint Secretary (Joint) Jehad Uddin, representing the Ministry of Liberation War.

During the discussion, the institutional challenges and current progress in creating an accurate and precise list of ‘real martyrs’ and heroic freedom fighters in the Liberation War were highlighted.

The ministry said that despite the passage of half a century of independence, creating a comprehensive database of freedom fighters was difficult in the past due to the lack of a specific statistical method. Currently, work is underway to finalize an accurate and impartial list using information technology and digital profiling processes under the supervision of the National Freedom Fighters Council (JAMUKA).

At the time, the US ambassador praised the multifaceted activities of the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, especially the efforts to accurately list martyrs and heroic freedom fighters through the use of ICT, and the process of rehabilitating casualties during the anti-government clashes of July-August 2024.

Brent Christensen, who has experience in preserving history in the United States, such as the National Archives and the Smithsonian Institute, said that preserving history is an ongoing process. The United States is interested in technical cooperation and exchange of experience through the US Public Diplomacy Team in preserving the accurate history of the liberation struggle of Bangladesh and creating a database.

The meeting also detailed the steps taken by the government for the welfare of those injured in the July-August clashes.

It was also reported that a detailed database of 843 people killed and 15,030 injured has been prepared under the specialized ‘July Directorate’ formed by the ministry.