Two senior Awami League leaders on Sunday brushed aside any possibility of the United States issuing any fresh sanctions on Bangladesh, as reported by a section of the media.
Moreover, the US embassy in Dhaka also gave no such hint when the UNB contacted them on Sunday.
“The United States maintains a broad and deep relationship with Bangladesh that we seek to advance," an official at the US Embassy in Dhaka said, requesting anonymity.
Agriculture Minister and AL Presidium Member Dr Muhammad Abdur Razzaque said that he did not see any reason for the US to impose any sanctions on Bangladesh.
“I think the United States will not impose any new sanctions. They will understand the reality and cooperate in conducting a fair, beautiful and acceptable election,” he told reporters at the Secretariat on Sunday.
Razzaque also said: "As an independent sovereign state, we never want and cannot easily accept foreign interference in our internal affairs. The country has an elected government. Another election will be held after six months. That election will be according to the constitution.”
On December 10, the US Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control imposed sanctions on Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and some former and current officers of the elite force, citing "serious human rights abuse relating to their tenure."
Due to the sanctions, they will not get a US visa, and may even have their assets in the US confiscated.
Recently, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina heavily criticized the US for imposing sanctions on RAB and its officials and doubted the US wants to see her in power. She also said that her government would not buy anything from any country that slaps sanctions on Bangladesh.
Sanctions not effective
Meanwhile, Information and Broadcasting Minister Hasan Mahmud said the country is moving towards prosperity with the help of our development partners. The US is a very “profound development partner” of Bangladesh.
“They have provided various assistance, including training, to our security forces and the assistance continues. We think that with the help of our development partners, the country is moving towards prosperity today.”
Hasan, also the joint general secretary of the ruling party, said sanctions and counter-sanctions are of no use. That has already been proven. Many have imposed sanctions against Iran. The government of Iran has not fallen. Despite many years of sanctions, Cuba could not be swayed, nor did the government change. Many sanctions against Myanmar for many years, the government there has not changed.
“Many European countries are flouting the sanctions against Russia and many are importing goods from them. It means sanctions do not work,” he added.