Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Thursday told Parliament that diplomatic efforts are on track to deal with the United States regarding sanction on the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), but he acknowledged that the matter is a political issue, which may follow a protracted process. "Lifting the sanction from RAB is a long-term process. Since the matter of imposing the sanction on RAB is a political issue, strong diplomatic efforts are being made to solve the matter since the beginning (immediately after imposition of the sanction)," he said. Read more: No discussion on RAB reforms with US: Home Minister The Foreign Minister made the statement while replying to a starred question from opposition Jatiya Party lawmaker Md Mujibul Haque (Chunnu). In a scripted answer, Dr Momen said the Foreign Ministry and other ministries, divisions or government agencies are jointly working to lift this sanction and ensure that such sanction would not come anymore in the future. The Bangladesh Embassy stationed in Washington DC maintains contact with the US State Department regularly, he said, adding that the Foreign Ministry takes steps instantly following the recommendation of the Bangladesh Embassy. Read more: Rab made ‘tremendous progress’ in ‘respecting rights’ while performing duties: Donald Lu observes Citing different steps taken by the government for withdrawal of the existing sanctions, he said that the sanction issue was also discussed in meetings with US Assistant Secretary Donald Lu during his recent visit to Bangladesh.  Dr Momen said Donald Lu now praised the activities of RAB. "The Foreign Ministry and Bangladesh Embassy stationed in Washington DC together with a legal assistance firm continue strong diplomatic efforts over the withdrawal of the sanction," he said.

In a report published on December 6, 2022, Toby Cadman – a UK lawyer who was part of the team that asked the US and UK governments for sanctions against Bangladesh’s Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) – told Al Jazeera that everyone involved was surprised when UK decided not to implement sanctions. After war crimes trials of its senior leaders began, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami hired Toby Cadman as its legal counsel in London in 2011. Read more: Toby Cadman, who was Jamaat's legal advisor, tells Al Jazeera he was part of team asking US, UK govts for Rab sanction At the time, Tajul Islam, the legal representative for five Jamaat leaders, notified the media that Steven Kay QC, Toby Cadman, and John Cammegh had consented to represent the Jamaat leaders. Al Jazeera, in its report, quoted Cadman as saying, “I filed the request for sanctions and whilst I am not in a position to discuss the substance, I can confirm that I discussed the request with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office [FCDO, UK].” He added, “Having worked on both the US and UK request for sanctions, I was strongly of the view that a coordinated response was necessary in the circumstances… Our filing in the UK targeted political officials and those in the security sector…. It was certainly my position that the UK would issue mirror sanctions in coordination with the US. I was extremely disappointed when they failed to do so.” The question that arises here then, is: Under what circumstances can a legal adviser, hired to represent a certain party, be considered “an independent voice” for human rights?   Can a lawyer be “independent”, if he cannot go against the interests of his clients? Further question arises as to how some media outlets can continue to project Cadman as “an independent voice”. Read more: US sanctions on RAB made BNP fearless in anti-government protests: Fakhrul It should also be noted that BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, in an interview published last month, had said the US sanctions on Rab helped rejuvenate the BNP rank and file to take to the streets fearlessly, something reflected in its recent rallies. The detailed admission by Cadman, coupled with Fakhrul’s comment on US sanctions being a morale booster for them, makes the much-touted narrative that the sanctions were slapped on Rab solely because of serious violations of human rights look questionable. Considering these latest developments and revelations, there seem to be regime change intentions at play. Moreover, a recent video of a Labour Party MP, in UK Parliament, asking the UK FCDO minister for Indo-Pacific why the UK did not go ahead with the sanctions at the last minute, makes the intentions more palpable. (The writer is a Professor at the Department of Public Administration, University of Rajshahi. Views expressed are his own.)

In once again denouncing the US sanctions on Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)  Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday questioned the motive behind Washington’s move. 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. The premier said in replying to a question at a press conference arranged at her official residence Ganobhaban on the outcome of her recent official visit to the UK and the USA. 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 PM. 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