Home ›› 12 Dec 2021 ›› Front
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday summoned United States Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl R Miller seeking explanation over the human rights sanctions imposed on Rapid Action Battalion, and seven of its former and serving officials.
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen expressed the discontent after summoning the US ambassador to his office. “The decision was taken single-handedly by the US administration without any prior consultation with the Bangladesh government,” says a ministry press release.
The foreign secretary regretted that the decision targeting the Bangladeshi officials was made in tandem with certain countries that face allegations of committing serious international crimes.
He emphasised that the Government of Bangladesh remains committed to upholding the rule of law and human rights, and maintains a “zero tolerance” approach to any wrongdoings or aberrations by its law enforcement agencies.
The foreign secretary pointed out that human rights violations and abuses were reported to be committed by wayward elements within the law enforcement agencies in many countries, including in the US, but that would not justify singling out the high officials of any law enforcing agency for targeted sanctions.
He underscored the need for pursuing the pathway of dialogue, engagement and collaboration, instead of resorting to “naming and shaming,” which has proven to be a self-defeating exercise, the release read.
‘Not fact based’
The same day, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen termed the US sanction on RAB officials as “unfortunate” and “not fact based.”
“We expected more solid, fact-based, and mature steps from a progressive country such as the USA,” he told reporters after attending a programme at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital.
He said some NGOs and human rights groups lodged complaints against RAB in addition to the US’ own assessment, adding, “These are regrettable.”
Dr Momen further pointed out that 600,000 people disappear in the USA every year, and the US government does not know how those people disappeared. “Around 1,000 people are killed each year by the US police in the line of duty, but no head of agency gets punished.
The foreign minister said what the USA said about RAB is not based on facts. “They should be specific. The US is a mature country but their decisions are not that mature.”
‘Based on exaggerated news’
Meanwhile, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said every incident of human rights violation is investigated properly in Bangladesh and legal action taken accordingly.
“If any incident of human rights violation is reported, investigations are carried out through magistrates. Legal action is taken here if any government agency violates human rights,” he said while speaking to reporters after attending a programme at Dhaka WASA in the city.
He added, “None of our organisations is violating human rights. Any such incidents are investigated by executive magistrates, and those found guilty face legal action. The US has not imposed the sanctions neutrally. They did it based on exaggerated news.
“Maintaining law and order is a challenging task in Bangladesh. Drug peddlers use firearms for self-defence, which leads to gunfights with the law enforcement agencies, causing casualties.”
‘RAB does not violate human rights’
RAB at a press conference in the city on Saturday claimed that the force does not violate human rights. RAB Commander, and Legal and Media Wing Director Khandaker Al Moin said the elite agency protects human rights and maintains law and order in the country.
In response to a query at Saturday’s briefing, Moin said so far, 28 members of the force – which have only 9,000 members – sacrificed their lives to protect human rights and maintain law and order.
Besides, more than 1,000 members were maimed and 2,000 others were injured, he said.
About the “gunfights,” the RAB official mentioned that they open fire only in self-defence when they are attacked by the criminals during drives. He however said the RAB has not been informed officially about the sanction, but learned about the matter from the media.
“Appropriate steps will be taken once the agency is informed officially,” he added.
On Friday, the US imposed human rights-related sanctions on Inspector General of Police and former director general of RAB Benazir Ahmed, RAB DG Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, Additional Director General Khan Mohammad Azad, and former additional director generals Tofayel Mustafa Sorwar, Mohammad Jahangir Alam and Mohammad Anwar Latif Khan.
