Lifting sanctions on rab: JS body seeks support from US lawmakers

A delegation of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs has sought the US lawmakers' support for lifting US sanctions on Rab and seven of its current and former officials imposed on December 10 last year.

While holding meetings with US Senator Ted Cruz (Republican-Texas) and Congressman Steve Chabot (Republican-Ohio) in Washington on May 18, the delegation said Rab is making tremendous contributions to the fight against extremism, terrorism, and cross-border crimes. Therefore, it is important that the sanction on Rab is withdrawn, they said, according to a statement of the Bangladesh embassy in Washington DC.

Following imposition of the sanctions, Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen wrote to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, requesting to review the sanction. Later, during the partnership dialogue in Dhaka, security dialogue and ministerial level meeting in Washington, Bangladesh made the similar request.

Now, the four members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, led by its chairman Muhammad Faruk Khan, and Nurul Islam Nahid, Nahim Razzak and Kazi Nabil Ahmed are visiting Washington to convince the US lawmakers.

Bangladesh Ambassador to the US M Shahidul Islam was also present during the meetings.

The delegation reiterated Bangladesh's request for the deportation of Rashed Chowdhury, the self-confessed killer of Bangabandhu.