Why this sanction on RAB, questions PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday questioned the motive behind impositions of sanctions on Rapid Action Battalion by the United States.

“Who created RAB?” she asked, pointing out that the US trained RAB and provided everything to the anti-crime agency, which has been credited for its role in dealing with militancy and terrorism.

She said that some people provide false and fabricated information about the human rights violation to the United States, and some of them are misguiding the US after committing crimes here and leaving the country.

She appreciated RAB, saying that it has successfully tackled crimes and terrorism, but now criminals are being encouraged because of such sanctions on the agency.

Sheikh Hasina made the statement when she briefed journalists at her official residence Ganabhaban on her recent participation in the UN General Assembly.

The prime minister lauded the role of the elite force in curbing terrorism in the country.

“We’ve curbed terrorism with them in this country. What does the imposition of sanction on them mean? (Is it) to support the terrorists?” My question is whether the USA is dissatisfied for curbing terrorism,” she said.

Sheikh Hasina said the RAB was formed at the recommendation of the USA. The USA provides them (its personnel) with everything including training, arms, helicopter, and even digital system and ICT system.

“When the USA imposes sanctions, raises any word or allegation, I would like to say one word that they (RAB) have conducted their activities as per the training they received,” she said.

“Had your training been good one to some extent, it would have bee right. What do we have to do here?” said the prime minister.

She said if any member of the law enforcement agencies including RAB and Police commits any offense, the person is tried here in Bangladesh. But if US police kill anyone as per whim, they (police members) are not always tried there, she said, adding that only one incident was tried when the USA people waged a movement against it.

She said they (the US police) gun down people for a trivial matter. They kill a minor child just for keeping their hands in the pockets or carrying toy pistols, she said, adding that the US says nothing about how many Bengalis were killed there.

“I told them these things clearly. I didn’t sit idle,” said Hasina.

The US sanctioned RAB and seven of its serving and former officials in December last year accusing the force of grave violation of human rights, an allegation Dhaka has vehemently denied.

Earlier, this month US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas said that the number of extrajudicial killings has significantly gone down since the US sanctions imposed on RAB. He said he saw this “as a good sign”.

In December, 2021, the United States imposed human rights related sanctions on RAB and seven former or current officials of the agency.