Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina once again denounced the US sanctions on the elite force Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) yesterday and questioned the motive behind the move.
The prime minister also lauded RAB’s role in curbing terrorism in the country.
“We’ve curbed terrorism with them in this country. What does the imposition of the sanctions on them mean? [Is it done] to support the terrorists?” I wonder whether the US is dissatisfied with [Bangladesh] curbing terrorism,” she said at the press conference organized at Ganabhaban on the outcome of her recent official visits to the UK and the US, UNB reported.
Sheikh Hasina said RAB had been formed on the recommendation of the US, which provides the force with everything, including training, arms, helicopters, digital systems and ICT.
“When the US imposes sanctions and 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 [from the US],” she said.
“Had your training been good to some extent, it would have been right. What do we have to do here?” asked the premier.
“If any member of the law enforcement agencies, including RAB and police, commits any offence, the person is tried here in Bangladesh. But if the police in the US kill anyone as per whim, they are not always tried,” she said, adding that only one incident saw a trial when the American people waged a movement against it.
She said that US police killed people over trivial matters. “They killed a minor for keeping his hands in his pockets or carrying toy pistols. The US says nothing about how some Bengalis were killed there.
“I told them these things clearly. I didn’t sit idle,” said Hasina, adding that she never bows down to any pressure.
The US sanctioned RAB and seven of its serving and former officials in December last year, accusing the force of grave violations of human rights, an allegation Dhaka has vehemently denied.
On allegations of forced disappearances in Bangladesh, the premier said that a vested quarter was conspiring against the government by presenting false information on alleged abductions.
The military dictator and founder of BNP General Ziaur Rahman introduced the politics of killings and disappearance in the country, BSS reported the prime minister as saying. He killed hundreds of armed forces officers and Awami League activists. Relatives of the deceased did not get their bodies, she added.
“Fugitive criminals and children of the war criminals and Bangabandhu's killers are now on a hot pursuit to carry out propaganda against the country. They are tarnishing the image of the country on the world stage.”
About current relations with the US, the premier said that there might be ups and downs in the relationship, but her government always follows the principle of "friendship to all, malice to none", as formulated by the Father of the Nation.
‘Will overcome hurdles’
The prime minister also vowed to overcome all economic challenges despite the global economic downturn and other hurdles at home.
Sheikh Hasina said that she wanted to maintain the momentum of economic growth despite the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and sanctions and counter-sanctions.
The PM said she saw no major risks in the long-term, short-term or immediate term for the country’s economy, and there was nothing to worry about dwindling foreign currency reserves.
“We’ll achieve the growth target we have set,” she said.