A resolution introduced in the US House of Representatives has called for formal recognition of the 1971 Bangladesh genocide.

Submitted on March 20, 2026 by Democratic Congressman Greg Landsman of Ohio and referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the resolution outlines historical events leading up to and during the 1971 Liberation War, citing widespread killings, sexual violence, and targeted persecution of religious minorities.

According to GovTrack, the resolution cites documented accounts from US officials, journalists, and international bodies.

The resolution recounts how the Pakistani military, alongside allied groups, launched a crackdown on March 25, 1971, under “Operation Searchlight”, following the electoral victory of the Awami League led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. It references reports, including dispatches by US Consul General Archer Blood, who described the violence as “selective genocide”.

It also cites reporting by journalist Anthony Mascarenhas and a US Senate subcommittee led by Edward M Kennedy, which documented systematic atrocities, particularly against the Hindu community.

The resolution further refers to a study by the Secretariat of the International Commission of Jurists which concluded there was “overwhelming evidence” of targeted killings based on religious identity.

While the measure does not have the force of law, it reflects the position of its sponsors on recognising the atrocities of 1971 and emphasises the importance of preserving historical memory and preventing future crimes against humanity.