পাতা:বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র (ত্রয়োদশ খণ্ড).pdf/৮৩

55 ংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ ত্রয়োদশ খন্ড fought the election on the basis of the six-point programme for autonomy for East Pakistan put forward by Sheikh Mujib Rahman in 1966. This is no new programme; it is something for which the Awami League has worked for many years. The six points are set out. Several of them are points which the Hon. Member for Torquay quoted as being points which Sheikh Mujib Rahman had indicated after the election he would want to follow. In fact, hardly ever in human history' has a clearer election programme been put before a people in a democratic election on the basis of one man one vote, or a clearer decision made. Here we have all the six points. There was no question during the election that they would not be within the legal framework of Pakistan an one country. There was no objection from Yahya Khan and his associates to this programme being put forward, because, of course, they did not expect it to be supported in East Bengal to the extent it was. Only after the election, when 98 per cent of the seats in East Bengal were won on such a programme, did the objections begin to be raised. We now lace deep philosophical and constitutional problems. I was speaking about these matters the other day to an Hon. Member and his comment was: "They fought for their independence. Once we have given it to them, it is up to them to stew in their own juice. They are a sovereign nation. We cannot interfere. The" must learn the hard way". I cannot agree with that attitude at all. I agree with the Hon. Member for Cornwall, North. In honor, we have a duty to take an interest in what goes on in other countries, particularly when the genocide, for that is what it was, and the denial of democratic aspirations, for that is what it was, are on the scale which we all know in our hearts to be true. Now, the functions of the United Nations. I agree that the United Nations agencies must promote relief, take in aid and be concerned with avoiding famine. But the United Nations should not concern itself only with that. Article 1 of the Charter tens us that the first purpose of the United Nations is : To maintain peace and security, and to that end: to take effective collective measures for the prevention and removal of threats to peace" Everybody acknowledges that this is a treat to peace, with China playing with one side and the U.S.S.R. possibly playing with another. Article 1 continues: "for the suppression of acts of aggression or other breaches of the peace". This has been an act of aggression, one of the worst disasters during the last 20 years, with the Pakistan Army, as we know from evidence that we have heard, attacking innocent people and murdering them in the way they have been doing. Next, "to bring about by peaceful means, and in conformity with the principles of justice and international law, adjustment or settlement of international disputes or situations which