Dhaka summons US Ambassador, expresses discontent
FE ONLINE REPORT | Published: December 11, 2021 17:37:04 | Updated: December 11, 2021 18:21:49
The foreign ministry on Saturday summoned the US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl R Miller to convey Dhaka’s discontent over the designated sanctions imposed by the US Departments of Treasury and of State on some of the present and former officials of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen expressed Bangladesh’s disappointment and told Mr Miller that the decision was taken unilaterally by the US Administration without any prior consultation with the government, the ministry spokesman said.
He flagged that the issues that were cited for imposing the designated sanctions remained under active discussions, including under the framework of the regular institutional dialogues between the two sides, and that yet the US decision came without any prior intimation.
The foreign secretary regretted that the US decided to undermine an agency of the government that had been at the forefront of combating terrorism, drug trafficking and other heinous transnational crimes that were considered to be shared priorities with successive US administrations.
Mr Masud regretted that the allegations made against RAB over certain specific incidents had been explained, along with information on the corresponding justice and accountability measures undertaken, to not just to the US Administration but also to a number of UN human rights mechanisms on multiple occasions.
Ambassador Momen stated that the US decision appeared to have been based more on unverified or unsubstantiated allegations of command responsibility than on the facts involved in connection with certain specific incidents that had taken place at the local level.
“The foreign secretary further regretted that the decision targeting the officials was made in tandem with those concerning certain countries that stand alleged to have committed serious international crimes, i.e. ‘text book example of ethnic cleansing, by the UN and other concerned international bodies” the spokesman said.
“The foreign secretary emphasised that the Government of Bangladesh remained committed to upholding the rule of law and human rights, and maintained a ‘zero tolerance’ approach to any wrongdoings or aberrations by its law enforcement agencies.”
Foreign Secretary Momen stressed that all uniformed services in Bangladesh followed a set of legal and administrative procedures to address any allegation of wrongdoing against any of their members, and that RAB was no exception in this regard.
He flagged 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.
Momen underscored the need for pursuing the pathway of dialogue, engagement and collaboration, instead of resorting to ‘naming and shaming’ that has proven to be a self-defeating exercise.
He highlighted that the observance of the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the two friendly countries next year should open up further avenues to enhance the breadth and dimensions of the existing partnership.
Ambassador Miller took note of the concerns raised by the Government of Bangladesh, and assured of conveying the same to his capital, the spokesman said briefing the response from the envoy.
“He concurred that the excellent multifaceted relations between two countries could be further deepened through established consultation mechanisms and high level visits”.
“Ambassador Miller further expressed the willingness of the US Government to remain closely engaged with the Government of Bangladesh in the coming days on issues of mutual interest”.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Saturday said that incident of imposing designated sanctions is “unfortunate”.
‘We expect more maturity from the US government’, he told newsmen after a function in the city.
Responding to a question of whether this would harm the US-BD ties, the minister said it depends on the US.
Replying to another question he said the move by the US government might result from the allegations by some NGOs.
Bangladesh might be the victim of geopolitics, he said responding to a question.
On Friday, the US Department of State issued a statement Saturday declaring the sanction against some RAB personnel.
The statement said, “The Department of State is ‘designating under Section 7031(c) two individuals for their involvement in gross violations of human rights:
Benazir Ahmed, current Inspector General of the Bangladesh Police and former Director General of Bangladesh’s Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and Miftah Uddin Ahmed, Lieutenant Colonel and former commanding officer of RAB Unit 7, for their involvement in a gross violation of human rights, namely the May 2018 extrajudicial killing of Teknaf City Municipal Councilor Ekramul Haque in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar District, Bangladesh.”
“The RAB, Benazir Ahmed, and five other officials were also designated today by the Department of the Treasury under the Global Magnitsky sanctions programme in connection with serious human rights abuse” the statement added.
Meanwhile, a separate statement issued by the Department of the Treasury on Friday said, “Additionally, the following individuals are designated pursuant to E.O. 13818 for being foreign persons who are or have been a leader or official of RAB, an entity that has engaged in, or whose members have engaged in, serious human rights abuse relating to their tenure:
- Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, Director General, RAB, April 15, 2020 to present
- Benazir Ahmed, former Director General, RAB, January 2015 to April 14, 2020
- Khan Mohammad Azad, Additional Director General (Operations), RAB, March 16, 2021 to present
- Tofayel Mustafa Sorwar, former Additional Director General (Operations), RAB, June 27, 2019 to March 16, 2021
- Mohammad Jahangir Alam, former Additional Director General (Operations), RAB, September 17, 2018 to June 27, 2019
- Mohammad Anwar Latif Khan, former Additional Director General (Operations), RAB, April 28, 2016 to September 17, 2018
According to the statement, the US Department of State, on Friday, has announced visa restrictions under Section 7031(c) of the FY 2021 Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act on Benazir Ahmed due to his involvement in gross violations of human rights, making him ineligible for entry into the United States.
mirmostafiz@yahoo.com
The foreign ministry on Saturday summoned the US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl R Miller to convey Dhaka’s discontent over the designated sanctions imposed by the US Departments of Treasury and of State on some of the present and former officials of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). Foreign...
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