Staff Reporter :
Bangladesh has urged the US government to consider partial or temporary waiver of the sanctions imposed on the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), an elite force to contain terrorism.
Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen on Thursday placed this appeal before the US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman during a meeting in Washington DC.
Foreign Secretary raised the issue of sanctions on RAB before Sherman, and expressed Bangladesh’s concern that this might undermine Bangladesh’s efforts to combat terrorism, violent extremism and transnational crime.
He urged that the US may consider providing temporary waiver or partial lifting of the sanctions on RAB as an institution.
On December 2021, the US Department of Treasury and the Department of State imposed sanctions on the RAB and seven of its current and former officials.
In response to queries from the US side about Digital Security Act (DSA), Masud elaborated on the context of the enactment of the DSA to combat cybercrimes including those aimed at undermining religious harmony and victimising women and children.
He also informed that the Bangladesh government is working with the EU to reassess the law and identify possible loopholes.
At the outset of the meeting, US Deputy Secretary of State appreciated Bangladesh for 6 percent growth during pandemic situation, robust role in UN peacekeeping, climate change actions and in the Rohingya crisis.
Foreign Secretary Masud thanked US for providing 61 million vaccines, and elaborated on the Government’s measures to strike balance between life and livelihood during the pandemic.
On labour issue, in response to US queries, foreign secretary explained that the government has all intentions to improve the labour situation as per the roadmaps undertaken with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the European Union (EU).
He emphasised that labour related issues cannot be implemented overnight, but gradual improvement is ongoing,
giving example of recent ratifications of Bangladesh of relevant ILO conventions on Forced and Child Labour.
Deputy Secretary Sherman appreciated Bangladesh Government’s willingness to address these issues, while also stressing upon early implementation of the reform process especially regarding trade union rights in private sectors.
She also discussed on the democratic process in Bangladesh and on the possibility of Bangladesh’s participation in the next Democracy Summit.
On this, Foreign Secretary informed her progresses like the enactment of the law on the formation of the Election Commission, and also about the recently concluded country-wide elections of Union Parishads.
US Deputy Secretary of State underscored the importance of international rule-based order in the maritime domain, and both sides agreed that further works can be done together in the area of harnessing blue economy.
Sherman stated that the US really recognised the generosity of Bangladesh of keeping the forcibly displaced Rohingyas for so long.
She agreed with Foreign Secretary Masud that without creating hope of repatriation, the displaced Rohingya population in Bangladesh pose major risks of radicalisation and transnational crimes.
Bangladesh Foreign Secretary underscored that return of the displaced Rohingyas is the best solution.
US Assistant Secretary expressed her country’s willingness to remain deeply engaged, and emphasised on the need for education, livelihood etc. of the displaced Rohingyas.
Foreign Secretary stated that the US should participate in the humanitarian works in Bhasan Char and the Congressional embargo should be lifted.
