Some 198 US citizens representing the Bangladeshi diaspora have expressed deep concern at the statement issued by some prominent figures, including former US president Barack Obama, regarding the ongoing trial of Dr Muhammad Yunus in Bangladesh.
A press release from the Bangladeshi Americans was issued on Wednesday.
The release read that the undersigned American citizens representing the Bangladeshi diaspora in the US are concerned by the statement issued by figures of repute, including former president Barack Obama with respect to the ongoing trial of Dr Muhammad Yunus.
The diaspora believes that the signatories of the statement are not versed in the facts and have wound up impugning the sovereignty of Bangladesh.
Nobel laureate Dr Yunus has been charged with money laundering, tax evasion, and labour rights abuse by the independent Anti-Corruption Commission(ACC) in Bangladesh.
"The case is under trial and no verdict has been reached yet. It is unfortunate that the signatories to the statement have drawn their conclusion without going through the merit of the case, while many of them advocate for the rule of law and due process in the administration of justice,” the release read.
We, the undersigned, have been observing Dr. Yunus' malpractice for many years. We also are well aware of Dr. Yunus's art of deceit in public relations. However, we, as US citizens, never complained about it. We have reasons to believe the signatories of the open letter fell prey to Dr. Yunus' deceit," the release adds.
The Bangladeshi expats found it unfortunate to note that the signatories of the letter didn't stop by just urging a 'fair trial' for Dr Yunus, but have also indulged in election processes, the rule of law and many other issues not related to the case in point.
Their call for a trial under 'impartial judges' completely undermined the entire judicial system and is an attack on the dignity of the honourable judges of a sovereign nation," the Bangladeshi Americans write.
The expats opine that Bangladesh fares remarkably better than what it used to be 15 years back vis-à-vis development, democracy and human rights. Bangladesh stands out as a role model in improving the living conditions of the tens of millions of marginalized citizens.
“It is recognized around the world, and more specifically by the developed West. We urge the signatories to retract their statement, either in a group or individually, to show respect to the 170 million Bangladeshis," the release reads.
On August 28, over 170 global leaders, including more than 100 Nobel laureates, issued an open letter to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, saying, "We are alarmed that he [Yunus] has recently been targeted by what we believe to be continuous judicial harassment."
In response to the call from world leaders to suspend legal action against Yunus, a total of 171 notable citizens, intellectuals, and professionals in Bangladesh issued a joint statement on September 2.
