British perceptions of the East Pakistan Crisis 1971
Hideous Atrocities on Both Sides
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 6196823 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Angela Debnath (Russian State Agrarian Correspondence University, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2011 |
| Volume | 13 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Pages | 421-450 |
| Publication date | 2011-11-01 |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of Genocide Research (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1462-3528 • E-ISSN: 1469-9494 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/14623528.2011.625744 |
| OpenAlex | W1989954164 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 8 |
British intelligence reports from 1971 describe how Pakistan suffered acute instability after central government forces attempted to brutally quash the East Pakistan nationalist movement, sparking guerrilla resistance and extensive social disorder. Much of the British media, political opposition and public sided with the nationalists, accusing government forces of violating human rights, and even of genocide. The British government, in contrast, declared it would not interfere in ‘hideous atrocities ... being committed on both sides’. While intent on neutrality and non-interference, officials continued deliberating on how to react to the crisis as it evolved. As a result, British responses—which extended to aid and diplomacy—were shaped by a number of contextual factors, including: the nature of diplomatic reports from the region, public and parliamentary pressure, Cold War geopolitical constraints and, as expected, strategic calculations of Britain's interests on the subcontinent. Reflecting both self-interest and genuine concern, British responses to the East Pakistan crisis highlight the complexities in comprehending multi-layered nationalist conflict, which government observers readily perceive as civil war
Criminology · Diplomacy · Genocide · Geopolitics · Mutiny · Nationalism · Neutrality · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Sociology · Law · Military History and Strategy · Peacebuilding and International Security · Politics and Conflicts in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Middle East
| Citations per year | 0.57 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2012 - 2026 (15) |
| Highly cited | No |