Awami League on Sunday turned down the US State Department’s report on Bangladesh’s human rights condition, saying the situation is far better here in many cases than that of in the USA.
“We reject the US State Department report as the human rights condition in Bangladesh is far better what it is in the US,” said AL Publicity and Publication Secretary Dr Hasan
Mahmud. Speaking at a press conference at party President Sheikh Hasina’s Dhanmondi political office, he also said, “More people-more than double-are being killed in the USA every day than Bangladesh on average. So, think about your country’s human rights condition and make report on it instated of analysing our human rights condition.”
The ruling party leader also said the report tried to criticise the way Bangladesh government controlled militants. “Bangladesh is much more successful than the US in curbing militancy.”
Mahmud said, many people are being killed in police firing in the USA while police in Bangladesh is only forced to fire back when terrorists attack them. On Friday, the US State Department in its 2016 Country Reports on Human Rights Practice said Bangladesh’s the most significant human rights problems were extrajudicial killings, arbitrary or unlawful detentions, and forced disappearances by government security forces; the killing of members of marginalized groups and others by groups espousing extremist views.
Mahmud also talked about Finance Minister AMA Muhith’s remark praising the role of microcredit and Dr Muhammad Yunus in eradicating poverty, saying it is neither a statement of the government nor of Awami League’s. “It’s his personal opinion.” “The Finance Minister sometimes makes such comments and withdraws those later. He may withdraw this as well,” he observed. Asked whether a responsible minister can make such a comment against the party’s stance, Mahmud said it has demonstrated the beauty of Awami League’s internal democracy. “The Finance Minister’s remark manifested that there’s democracy within our party and all can express their views in our party.”
