Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud today (May 13, 2024) said that issues related to visa policy and Dhaka’s call for withdrawal of sanctions may come up for discussion during Donald Lu’s visit. “These issues may naturally come up,” he said when a reporter wanted to know whether Bangladesh will raise these issues as US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu is coming to Dhaka on May 14.   Lu will be here as part of his tri-nation tour of the region (May 10-15). He visited India and is now visiting Sri Lanka. Assistant Secretary Lu will conclude his trip in Dhaka, where he will meet with government officials, civil society leaders, and other Bangladeshis to discuss Bangladesh-US cooperation, including addressing the climate crisis and deepening economic ties, according to the US Department of State. Read more: France to provide assistance to Bangladesh in installing lightning prevention devices: State Minister The foreign minister said Bangladesh maintains excellent relations with the United States and they will work together to take the relations further. “Whoever visits Bangladesh from the US administration, we will work together to advance our relationship. There are economic relations and we have cooperation in various fields,” he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. After the January 7 national election, the US in a statement on January 8 said, "Looking ahead, the United States remains committed to partnering with Bangladesh to advance our shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific, to supporting human rights and civil society in Bangladesh, and to deepening our people-to-people and economic ties." In February this year, Eileen Laubacher, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for South Asia, US National Security Council (NSC); Michael Schiffer, USAID Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Asia; and Afreen Akhter, US Department of State Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asia, paid a three-day visit to Bangladesh. "There is willingness from both sides. Together, we want to create a new chapter in our relations," Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud told reporters after his meeting with the US delegation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at that time. Read more: Hasan Mahmud for a strong cultural renaissance in favour of development, humanity

Bangladesh says it expects respect from all concerned towards the country's sovereign right to pursue independent domestic as well as foreign policy based on the motto “friendship to all, malice towards none”, as conceived by the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday (June 15, 2023) noted the remarks made by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the context of some recent comments made by the Prime Minister of Bangladesh. “In this connection, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh would like to underscore that Bangladesh, like any self-respecting country, attaches highest importance to the values of sovereignty and freedom to decide its own course of action—both domestic and foreign—for the betterment of its people, to realise the dream of the Father of the Nation by implementing the visions laid by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,” the ministry said. Read: EMF seeks cooperation of MoFA for inviting foreign observers On Wednesday, China said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's remarks against US sanctions were "not just the strong position of the Bangladeshi people, but also the mind of a large part of the international community, especially the developing world." "We have noted the recent remarks by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Indeed, while turning a blind eye to its own racial discrimination, gun violence and drug proliferation problems, a certain country has long been interfering in the internal affairs of Bangladesh and many other developing countries under the pretext of democracy and human rights," said Spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry Wang Wenbin, commenting on sanctions on Bangladesh. He said Bangladesh and China have been traditionally friendly neighbours. Read:Russia a tested friend; no adverse impacts on existing relations: MoFA Spokesperson "We firmly support Bangladesh in safeguarding its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, upholding independent domestic and foreign policies, and pursuing a development path that suits its national realities," said the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson. He said they stand ready to work together with Bangladesh and other countries to oppose all forms of hegemony and power politics, uphold the UN-centred international system, the international order underpinned by international law, and the basic norms governing international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and build a community with a shared future for mankind. Read more: Bangladesh plans to send medical, rescue teams to Türkiye: MoFA spokesperson

A group of around prominent 200 Bangladeshi Americans have said the recent letter from six US congressmen to President Joe Biden – demanding stricter sanctions against the Bangladesh government – contains “false and misleading information.” The claim in the congressmen’s letter, “Since Sheikh Hasina’s rise to power, the Hindu population has been halved,” is categorically false and hides the real reasons behind the persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh, they said. In particular, the letter ignores the October 2001 post-national election violence unleashed on the Hindu community by Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami led coalition, the Bangladeshi Americans said. Also read: State of Christians in Bangladesh: Archbishop Emeritus Patrick D'Rozario rejects 6 US congressmen’s letter to Biden The congressmen’s letter also contains “incorrect information” about the persecution of the Christian population in Bangladesh under the current government, they observed. “We, the undersigned Bangladeshi Americans, request the congressmen to withdraw the false information from the letter,” they said. The wrong information would not only undermine the credibility of the congressmen’s stance on minority rights in Bangladesh but also jeopardize the security and safety of the undersigned Bangladeshi Americans, according to their statement. Also read: 6 congressmen’s letter to Biden a ‘false projection’ of the state of Bangladesh’s minorities, community leaders say Noted Bangladeshi Hindu, Christian and Buddhist leaders have already rejected the claims about the state of minority communities in Bangladesh made in the congressmen’s letter as categorically false. They also indicated that false claims hide the real culprits behind minority persecution in Bangladesh. Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Oikya Parishad leader Rana Dasgupta said that the congressmen’s claim of Hindu population being “halved” under Sheikh Hasina’s rule is a “travesty of truth.” “We understand that the US elected representatives sign many statements. But false information in congressmen’s letter to President Biden is concerning and detrimental to the Bangladeshi minority communities,” wrote the Bangladeshi Americans. Also read: Letters from 6 MEPs and 6 US congressmen: Netizens point out curious similarities, including misspelling Bangladesh PM’s name “We again request the congressmen to withdraw the false and misleading information from the letter for the security, safety, and wellness of the Bangladesh minority and undersigned Bangladeshi Americans who have been actively fighting for minority rights in Bangladesh for decades,” they said. The signatories are: 1. Dr. Nuran Nabi, Councilman, NJ 2. Prof. ABM Nasir, Professor, NC 3. Abu Ahmed Musa, Councilman, MI 4. Rana Hasan Mahmud, Engineer, CA 5. Dr. Ziauddin Ahmed, Professor, PA 6. Shikrithy Barua, IT Engineer, NY 7. Abul Khan, State Representative, NH 8. Mahbubul Alam Taiyab, Milborne City Mayor, NH 9. Nurul Hassan, Councilman, Milborne City, NH 10. Dr. Sufian A Khandakar, Scientist 11.Dr. Ashraf Ahmed, Scientist and Writer 12. Dr. Joti Prakash Dutta, Writer, FL 13. Prof. Abu Naser Rajib, CA 14. Morshed Alam, Activist, NY 15. Ahad Ahmed, Engineer, MI 16. Dr. Baman Das Basu, Scientist, MA 17. Safeda Basu, Activist, MA 18. Dr. Khondoker Mansur, Community Leader, NY 19. Dr. Mohshin Patowari, Professor, NY 20. Jamal Uddin Hossain, Cultural Personality, AL 21. Dr. Mohshin Ali, Writer, NY 22. Dastagir Jahangir, Journalist, VA 23. Fahim Reza Noor, Activist, NY 24. Dr. Zeenat Nabi, Scientist, NJ 25. Hassan Ferdous, Columnist & Writer, NY 26. Maj (retd) Manzur Ahmed, Community Leader, NY 27. Dr.Pradip Kar, Scientist,NY 28. Dr. Protap Das, Physician, NY 29. Kowshik Ahmed, Editor, NY 30. Lovlu Ansar, Editor,NY 31. Rafayet Choudhury, Activist, NY 32. Abu Taher, Activist, PA 33. Soud Choudhury, Activist, NY 34. Dr. Mizan R Miah, Professor, IL 35. Dr. Jamil Talukdar, Professor, WI 36. Dr.Shahadat Hossain, Professor, NY 37. Dr. Hasan Mahmud, Professor, NJ 38. Dr. Khandakar Monsur, Scientist, MD 39. Dr. Syed Abu Hasnat, Teacher, MA 40. Mahbubur Rahman Bhuiyan, Businessman ,GA 41. Tajul Imam, Artist, NY 42. Abdur Rahim Badsha, Businessman, NY 43. Dr. Mizanur Rahman, Scientist 44. Abdul Qader Mia, Community Leader, NY 45. Zakaria Choudhury, Community Leader, NY 46. Bedarul Islam Babla, Commuinity leader, NY 47.Mintu Rahman, Community Leader, GA 48. Nadira Rahman, Community Leader, GA 49. Arefin Babul, Community Leader, GA 50. Dr.Shahab Siddique, Scientist, GA 51. Mohammed Ali Babul, Lawyer, NY 52. Mohammad Mowla, Community Leader, GA 53. Jharna Choudhury, Theater Artist, NY 54. Lutfun Nahar Lata, Artist, NY 55. Dr. Faruk Azam, Physician, NJ 56. Mian Helal, Businessman, NJ 57. Shamsun Nahar Helen, Technologist, NJ 58. Iqbal Yousuf, Community Leader, MA  59. Atiqur Rahman, Community Leader 60. Rumi Kabir, Writer, GA 61. Ali Ahmad Farish, Businessman, MI 62. Rashed Ahmed, Community Leader, NY 63. Sitangshu Guha, Journalist, NY 64. Dr. Dilip Nath, Teacher, NY 65. MA Salam, Community Leader, NJ 66. Fakir Ilias, Poet, NY 67. Mishuk Selim, Poet, NY 68. Khaled Sharifuddin, Poet, NY 69. Abu Sayeed Ratan, Poet, NY 70. Hassan Al Abdullah, Poet, NY 71. Mithun Ahmed, Cultural Activist, NY 72. Minhaj Ahmed, Cultural Activist, NY 73. Shakawat Ali, Community Leader, NY 74. Dr. Abdul Baten, Scientist, NY 75. Dr. Hasan Masud, Teacher, NY 76. Shahid Hasan, Artist, NY 77. Rathindra Nath Roy, Artist, NY 78. Istiaq Rupu, Poet, NY 79. Gopal Sannal, Community Leader,NY 80. Dr. Mahbubur Rahman Tuku, Businessman, NY 81. Dr. Nahid Banu, Scientist, NJ 82. Mahbub Reza Rahim, Community Leader, AZ 83. Dr. Monowar Hossain, Scientist, NJ 84. Golam Faruk Bhuyan, Businessman, NJ 85.  Rehan Reza,Community Leader, KS 86. Dr. Hasan Mamun, Teacher, NJ 87. Zahedul Mahmud Zami, Community Leader, CA 88. Towfik Solaiman Khan, Community Leader, CA 89. Nazrul Alam, Community Leader, CA 90. Saifur Rahman Osmani, Broadcaster, CA 91. Dr.Golam Mostofa, Professor, PA 92. Rabiul Karim Belal, Businessman, PA 93. Dr. Ahsan Choudhury, Engineer, TX 94. Hashmot Mobin, Community Leader, TX 95. Shah Halim, Community Leader, TX 96. Maggie Halim, Community Leader, TX 97. Dr. Anisul Aslam, Physician, CA 98. Mohammad Billah Rana, Businessman, CA 99. Hadi Billah Roba, Businessman, NV 100. Quazi Shahraiar Rahman, Engineer, CA 101. Karimul Haque Chowdhury, Businessman, CA 102. Bashir Ather, Scientist, CA 103. Tapan Mondol, Social Worker, CA 104. Shah Alam, Community Leader, CA  105. Maminul Haque Bachchu, Sr. Community Leader, CA 106. Tasnim Salam Aslam, Engineer, CA 107. Abed Mansur, Community Leader, CA 108. Habib Ahmed Tia, Community Leader, CA 109. Mofazzal Hussain, Community Leader, CA 100. Mohammad Hossain Rana, Community Leader, CA 101. Abul Hasnat Rayhan, Community Leader, CA 102. Asaduzzaman Bachchu, Businessman, MI 103.  Dewan Zamir,Engineer, CA 104. Belal Beg, columnist, NY 105. Nini Wahed, Journalist, NY 106. Dr.Farjahan Rahman Shawon, Professor,NC 107. Dr.Khondoker Mansur, Community Leader, NY 108. Khurshid Anowar Bablu, Community Leader, NY 109. Hassan Al Abdullah, Writer, NY 110. Syed Abu Hasnat, Professor, MA 111. Dr.Delwar Hossain, Professor, AL 112. Iqbal Yusuf, Director, Intl.Sustainable Development 113. Atiqur Rahman, Businessman, FL 114. Hassan Jahangir, Businessman, FL 115. Junaid Akhter,Community Leader, FL 116. Dr. Hemayet Ullah, Professor 117. Dr. Mahbub Pramanik 118. Dr.Purobi Bosu, Writer, FL 119. Farhana Iliyas Tuli, Poet, NY 120. Syed Mamunur Rashid, Poet, NY 121. Swapnil Firoze, Poet, NY 122. Liton Ahmed, Activist, NY 123. Golam Mohiuddin, Musician, GA 124. Nazrul Islam, Community Leader, GA 125.Farque Ahmed, Community Leader, GA 126. Mohin, Community Leader, FA 127. Abul Hassan, Community Leader, GA 128. Ahmadhur Parvez, Community Leader, GA 129. Dr. Mohammed Nasim, Community Leader, GA 130. Mahmud Abbas, Community Leader, GA 131. Mohammad Akbar Khan, Community Leader, GA 132. Reza Karim, Community Leader, GA 133. Ali Hosen, Community Leader, GA 134. Pintu Yusuf, Community Leader, GA 135. Nurul Kabir Nahid, Community Leader, GA 136. Mojammel,Community Leader, GA 137.Moshiur Rahman, Businessman, GA 138. Russel Bhuiyan, Businessman, Ga 139. Arefin Pial, Teacher, GA 140. Mahrufur Bhuiyan, Businessman, GA  141. Borhan Uddin, Community Leader, GA 142. Rashedul Karim, Businessman, GA 143. Bindu Hossen, Singer, GA 144. Rezaul Bari, Activist, NY 145. Abul Bashar Chunnu,Activist,NY 146. Nabendu Dutta,Professor, NY 147. Siraj Ahemd Sohag, Community Leader, NY 148. Shyamal Chakraborti, Community Leader, NY 149. Pranobondhu Chakraborti, Engineer, NY 150. Mohammad Fazlul Haque, Community Leader, NY 151. Parimal Karmakar, Community Leader, NY 152. Jhorna Chowhdury, Artist, NY 153. Syed Rashid Ahmed Karmani, Businessman, NY 154. Ruksana Karmani, NY 155. Farque Ahmed, Businessman, NY 156. Dilara Ahmed, Activist, NY 157. Touqid Chowdhury, Activist, NY 158. Saniyet Ahmed Chowdhury, Engineer, NY 159. Toujiat Chowdhury, PhD student, NY 160. Alim Khan Akash, Businessman, NY 161. Sabita Das, Activist, NY 162.Abul Bhashar Bhuiyan,NY 163. Shareb Ahmed,NY 164.Rontu Lal Das,NY 165. Harun Chowdhury, VA 166. Santosh Barua, Poet, VA 167. Nupur Chowdhury, VA 168. Gourab Golpo, Artist, VA 169. Nasrin Ahmed Munna, Artist, VA 170. Dr.Monowar Hossain, Scientist, NJ 171. Nahid Chowdhury, Businessman, NJ 172. Mir Chowdhury, Community Leader, NJ 173. Rafiqul Islam, Businessman, CA 174. Tasnim Salam Aslam ,CA 175. Mizanul Kabir, P.O., CA 176. Abul Hasnat Rayhan, Community Leader, CA 177. Asaduzzaman Bacchu, Community Leader, CA 178. Masud Chowdhury, Community Leader, CA 179. Mohammed Hossain Rana, Businessman, CA 180. Ruhul Amin, Businessman, MI 181. Abdul Muhit Mukta, Businessman, MI 182. Mohoshin Uddin Tipu, Businessman, MI 183. Md. Sirajuddin Tipu, Community Leader, MI 184. Dr.Adnan Morshed, Professor, WA 185. Dr.Atiar Rahman, FDA statistics, VA 186. Dr. Sadek Chowdhury, VS  187. Alauddin Ahmed, Community Leader, VA 188. Dr.Zahed Chowdhury, Software Engineer, VA 189. Nizamuddin Ahmed, CEO, Huge Network, VA 190. Saleh Ahmed,Activist, VA 191. Swapnik Khan,Activist,TX 192. Redwan Chowdhury, Community Leader, D.C. Read more: China says PM Hasina's remarks against sanctions reflect a ‘large part of int'l community's mind’

China has said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's remarks against US sanctions were "not just the strong position of the Bangladeshi people, but also the mind of a large part of the international community, especially the developing world." Read: Bangladesh, Denmark launch action plan to strengthen partnership on green transition "We have noted the recent remarks by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Indeed, while turning a blind eye to its own racial discrimination, gun violence and drug proliferation problems, a certain country has long been interfering in the internal affairs of Bangladesh and many other developing countries under the pretext of democracy and human rights," said Spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry Wang Wenbin, commenting on sanctions on Bangladesh. Read: Record 108.4 mln people forcibly displaced by end of  2022: UNHCR He said Bangladesh and China have been traditionally friendly neighbours. "We firmly support Bangladesh in safeguarding its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, upholding independent domestic and foreign policies, and pursuing a development path that suits its national realities," said the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson. Read: Japan provides critical funding to WFP’s lifesaving food assistance for Rohingyas He said they stand ready to work together with Bangladesh and other countries to oppose all forms of hegemony and power politics, uphold the UN-centred international system, the international order underpinned by international law, and the basic norms governing international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and build a community with a shared future for mankind.

Information Minister Hasan Mahmud said the relationship between Bangladesh and the United States remains excellent despite recent comment regarding US sanctions by PM Sheikh Hasina. “We have taken several positive decisions in recent times to enhance our relations with the United States,” he said,  while speaking at a press briefing in the Secretariat this afternoon.  Mahmud emphasized the government's desire to strengthen ties with the US. Also Read: PM strikes defiant tone in face of US pressure Highlighting the need to diversify trade opportunities, Mahmud mentioned that Bangladesh has not been able to increase trade with countries of South America. He also stressed the importance of expanding trade with the Middle East beyond labour export, given the increased purchasing power and awareness in the region. He also emphasized the trade potential in ASEAN countries and the Oceania region, citing the Prime Minister's interest in exploring these opportunities. Also Read: New visa policy to help PM Hasina's govt in holding fair elections: US “Prime Minister's remarks regarding the US visa policy were intended to alleviate concerns and ease tension for those worried about obtaining US visas,” he said. Earlier, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday said it doesn't matter at all if someone goes to the USA crossing the Atlantic Ocean on a 20-hour- plane journey. “There are other oceans and other continents in the world, we will make friends with those continents crossing the other oceans. Our economy will be stronger and more developed and vibrant,” she said firmly. Also Read: US govt’s new visa policy does not bother Bangladesh government: Shahriar Alam Hasan Mahmud also mentioned that Bangladesh's budget deficit stands at 5.2 percent, whereas in comparison, India's deficit is 5.9 percent, the United States' is 6 percent, and the United Kingdom's is 5.5 percent. He referred to the proposed budget for 2023-24 as "people-friendly and poor-friendly," stating that the government aims to increase the number of direct beneficiaries and the number of allowances provided. Also Read: People, not PM, to decide whether they go to USA or not: BNP He further said that around two crore people would directly receive various forms of government assistance, including financial aid. In addition, he announced that a list containing the names of individuals involved in arson attacks, as well as their instigators and financiers, would be disseminated to relevant authorities.  

The US has for years been imposing sanctions on individuals and entities without national criminal jurisdiction and in the absence of universal jurisdiction, a UN independent human rights expert said Thursday. This is a clear violation of due process rights, including the presumption of innocence and fair trial, she added. These rights are guaranteed under the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights which the US ratified and must fully implement, UN Special Rapporteur Alena Douhan said. The convention is a core international human rights treaty that was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1966 and entered into force a decade later. Douhan was appointed by the UN Human Rights Council to monitor the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights. She said the unilateral sanctions target individuals abroad for alleged activities outside the US, including activities that are legal where they occur. Secondary sanctions target foreign individuals and companies for alleged interaction with sanctioned parties or for evading sanction regimes. As the sanctions typically prohibit entry into the US and freeze assets with any connection to the country, they violate the right to freedom of movement, and the right to not be arbitrarily deprived of property. "Fear of US sanctions has led many foreign companies and financial institutions to over-comply to reduce their risks. This only exacerbates the impact of sanctions on human rights," Douhan said. Also, human rights are infringed when US trade bans against certain countries penalise foreign companies for conducting business there. "These policies affect labour rights, freedom of movement, and the rights of foreign individuals who may be associated with these companies," she said, pointing to the harm caused to the human rights of ordinary citizens who rely on the goods or services these companies provide, such as medicines and medical equipment. In questioning the compatibility of this type of imposition of extraterritorial jurisdiction with international human rights standards, she called for reflecting on how it impacts the international principle of non-interference in domestic affairs.

Bangladesh Ambassador to Russia Kamrul Ahsan was summoned to the Russian foreign ministry following Bangladesh’s decision to ban Russian ships from calling at Bangladeshi ports, reports Russia's state-owned news agency TASS on Tuesday. "We drew attention of the head of the diplomatic mission to the reports about the decision of his country’s authorities to ban Russian ships carrying cargoes for Bangladesh from calling at Bangladeshi ports," the agency reported quoting the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "This step runs counter to the traditionally friendly charater of bilateral relations and can have a negative effect on the prospects for our cooperation in various spheres," the report reads. Dhaka has not made any comment yet regarding the report. Last week, Russia’s embassy in Dhaka confirmed to TASS that 69 Russian ships (sanctioned) had been barred from calling at the country’s ports. However, according to the embassy, this step did not mean that Bangladesh had banned imports of Russian goods. Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said later that Bangladesh had made this decision under the threat of US secondary sanctions, according to TASS report.    

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed has said that the US sanctions on some Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) members, including him from his time leading the paramilitary force, are the result of a USD 100 million project. The IGP said this at a welcome reception organized in his honor on the occasion of his visit to the US on Friday. “A vested quarter hired four international lobbyist firms and gave them USD 25 million each for the project. After trying for three years, these firms were finally able to persuade the US government to impose sanctions on Rab and me,” said the IGP. At the event, Benazir once again clarified that he had no connection with the enforced disappearances that the US government has alleged. “The US government said that 600 people have become victims of enforced disappearances since 2009. I joined Rab in 2015, which means I had nothing to do with it. Besides, the US government hasn’t been able to provide a list of the disappeared people. This means that the allegations aren’t true,” Benazir added. Read: Home Minister, IGP in NY to join UNCOPS However, Benazir also said that he doesn’t want to blame the US government for the sanctions. “I don’t want to blame the US government as they didn’t do it on their own. The US didn’t hire the lobbying firms, rather they were influenced by some lobbyists who were hired by another party. We have very good people-to-people relations with the US, and we’re always trying to strengthen them further,” the IGP said. The IGP then asked everyone to remain vigilant about attempts to damage the historical ties between Bangladesh and the US.  

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal has said that the United States has imposed sanctions on some Bangladeshi law enforcement officials without any specific information. The minister said this after attending a conference at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in the capital on Saturday noon. “People say a lot of things. No one believes in something  lacks proper information and proof. Such is the case with the US sanctions,” said Kamal. Kamal added that UN Human Rights Chief Michelle Bachelet didn’t raise any concern about the country’s human rights situation during her recent visit. “We had a long discussion with Bachelet. We provided detailed answers to some of her questions regarding our human rights issues. We even answered her questions about enforced disappearance through a video presentation. After watching the video, she didn’t raise any more questions,” Kamal added. Read: Home Minister drops in on Bachelet Replying to a question, the minister also said that the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party is spreading propaganda about the country’s human rights issues to create an anarchic situation. “Whatever the BNP says is totally baseless. Bachelet understood this and that’s why she didn’t raise any concern about the human rights condition of Bangladesh,” Kamal said.

Foreign Minister DR AK Abdul Momen on Tuesday said Bangladesh sought India’s support to withdraw the US sanctions imposed on elite force Rab and individuals. “We sought their help after the US imposed sanctions on Rab. They’ve been very nice to us. They (Indian side) said they would raise it,” Momen told reporters at his office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Also read:Rab is a brand name for peace, don’t malign it: Shahriar The Foreign Minister said the Indian community of around 45 lakh members in the United States also requested the government. “They (Indian community in US) are very influential.” Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, who is scheduled arrive here on Thursday, visited Washington DC earlier this month. Regarding law enforcement, US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas recently said there is no scope for repeal of sanctions against the Rapid Action Battalion without concrete action and accountability.  “We want to see a RAB that remains effective at combatting terrorism, but that does so while respecting basic human rights,” he said while addressing a seminar in which Minister Momen spoke as the chief guest. Responding to a question Momen said the US talks about accountability but there is in-built accountability in the Rab. “We do have accountability. That might not reach to them (US).” Asked whether the US side is convinced on what the Bangladesh side says, he said may be they are not satisfied yet but in the future they will be satisfied. Also read: RAB's importance to counterterrorism recognised but lifting sanctions to take time: Blinken Ambassador Haas said RAB sanctions do not mean they cannot enhance the strong law enforcement security cooperation between the two countries.  “We will continue to work with Bangladesh to combat transnational crime and terrorism, enhance border security, and prevent violent extremism,” he said. The US envoy said the continue our support to Counterterrorism and Transnational Crime police, the Anti-Terrorism Unit, and the specialized units of the Metropolitan Police in Chattogram, Sylhet, and Rajshahi.