Good job.RAB is facing difficulties in its operations due to sanctions, FM Momen tells Nuland
BANGLADESH
TBS Report
20 March, 2022, 11:15 pm
Last modified: 20 March, 2022, 11:28 pm
He strongly urged the US government to reconsider the sanctions
The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) is facing difficulties in its operations due to the US sanction, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen tells visiting US Under Secretary of State Victoria Nuland.
During a meeting today, Momen also expressed concern that this might encourage radical elements in the country and might deteriorate law and order and create regional instability.
"At that time the US trained them, and the organization was being compared with the FBI. Till now, Bangladesh's success in curbing terrorism and transnational crimes are largely attributed to the RAB," he noted.
He strongly urged the US government to reconsider the sanctions.
Under Secretary Nuland expressed the US's willingness to engage with Bangladesh on human rights and labour issues, with the view to collectively bring improvements in some areas.
She also proposed that the US can help Bangladesh, like some other development partners, in further reexamining the Digital Security Act.
US Under Secretary Nuland is visiting Bangladesh as the leader of the US delegation in the 8th US-Bangladesh Partnership Dialogue held today (20 March).
During the discussion, Foreign Minister Momen expressed satisfaction about the successful holding of the Partnership Dialogue, which is the first one after a long two-year pause due to the pandemic.
Referring to his upcoming bilateral meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on 4 April in Washington DC on the very day of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations, Momen expressed optimism that the two countries need to have closer relations for next 50 years.
US Under Secretary Nuland also expressed expectation that the upcoming meeting between Bangladesh Foreign Minister and US Secretary of State would be a fruitful one.
She elaborated her government position on the Ukraine issue.
In response, Bangladesh Foreign Minister Momen underscored that Bangladesh is always wants peace, and noted that the conflict is needed to be resolved through negotiations.
He further stated that peace brings stability, which is important for Bangladesh as we have a large number of expatriate workers working abroad.
He added that, in this interdependent world, war and conflict would cause problem for all, including the US, the EU and the Middle East.
He specially emphasized on the possible US investment in the ICT and pharmaceutical sectors, depicting the large number of young IT freelancers Bangladesh has.
"This might be a win-win situation if the US invest in this sector," he added.
RAB is facing difficulties in its operations due to sanctions, Momen tells Nuland
He strongly urged the US government to reconsider the sanctionswww.tbsnews.net
She had to face many other Kharap Manush of the Bangladesh government including Hasina Bibi. Hasina did not have the courtesy to meet her.
Sanctions on RAB won’t be lifted suddenly, Washington tells Dhaka
Published: March 23, 2022 16:43:19 | Updated: March 23, 2022 22:18:51
The US will not suddenly lift the sanctions it has imposed on the Rapid Action Battalion and seven of its current and former officials, Washington has told Dhaka.
The matter was discussed during the visit of Victoria Nuland, the US undersecretary for political affairs, to Dhaka, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen said on Wednesday, reports bdnews24.com.
“They said it was a process and a complicated one and so they won’t be lifted based on verbal complaints alone,” he said. “However, they said they would work on the issue.”
On December 10, Human Rights Day, the US imposed sanctions on RAB and some of its current and former officials, citing ‘serious human rights violations’ by the force.
After the sanctions were imposed, Dhaka summoned the US ambassador to express its dissatisfaction with the decision.
Nuland’s visit from Mar 19 – 21 occurred as Bangladesh and the US were discussing the issue. Following a bilateral meeting on Sunday, she described the situation as ‘complicated’.
“We have concerns about how RAB has performed, about extra-judicial killings, about disappearances," she said. But talks would be ongoing between the two countries, she added.
Foreign Minister Momen has signalled that he will bring up the sanctions in his meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington in April.
“Of course, the matter will be discussed,” Momen said in response to a question on Wednesday.
“Since Dec 10, the RAB issue has been brought up in every meeting with a US representative. It was discussed with the undersecretary who recently visited.”
“You have heard what she had to say. For the past three months, RAB has not been involved in any killings and they are happy with that.”
“They also discussed addressing the allegations against RAB brought to the US,” he said.
“We told them that we are taking whatever remedial action is necessary. I mean, the mechanism to address these issues is already part of our system, but often they don’t work properly.”
“We want these mechanisms to be effective so that, if there is any untoward incident, it can be handled by the judicial process. But if we haven’t said so loudly before, we are doing it now – we are taking remedial action.”
The foreign minister also noted RAB’s work on fighting human trafficking, drug trafficking and terrorism, which all contribute to the US’s global policy goals.
“Particularly in terms of fighting terrorism, RAB has done extraordinary work. You have acknowledged it yourselves. Based on that, we would be happy if you could withdraw your sanctions.”
Sanctions on RAB won’t be lifted suddenly, Washington tells Dhaka
The US will not suddenly lift the sanctions it has imposed on the Rapid Action Battalion and seven of its current and former officials, Washington has told Dhaka. The matter was discussed during the visit of Victoria Nuland, the US undersecretary for political affairs, to Dhaka, Foreign Minister Athefinancialexpress.com.bd
We probably don’t even spend to the level needed for their corrupt officials to shill for us.
I’m Micheal. Forever and ever
should spend it on lobbying for GSP facilities. The US wont budge on rab sanctions.
