'US lectures on humanity while sheltering Bangabandhu's killer'

Lecturing on humanity does not befit the United States since it has been sheltering a convicted killer, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen said today.

The minister said the US has sheltered Rashed Chowdhury, killer of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and "refused to extradite him".

"They talk about law and humanity but gave shelter to a murderer," he added.

He was talking to reporters after an event at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the capital.

His remarks came following US -- on December 10 -- imposing human rights-related sanctions on Rapid Action Battalion and seven of its current and former top officials for their "connection to human rights abuse and repression".

Rashed Chowdhury, a former army officer, was convicted for his role in the assassination of Bangabandhu on August 15, 1975.

Bangladesh Supreme Court upheld the High Court verdict that had given death sentences to 12 killers of Bangabandhu, including Chowdhury, in 2009.

Chowdhury and his family went to the US in 1996 from Brazil on visitor visas and later got political asylum.

Talking to reporters, the foreign minister said being a developing country, Bangladesh's goal is to improve its citizens' wellbeing and development.

Also, Bangladesh's foreign policy is to move forward with keeping friendship with everyone, he said.

Asked whether the government is thinking of counter-action, the minister said they do not possess that mentality.

"We want to work together."

He said they have already discussed the US sanction at the government's high-level and will discuss again soon to make the next move.

He said Rab has been successful in its mission to reduce human trafficking, crime and drug trafficking in the country.

He also said he described such mission of Rab during his recent telephone conversation with the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, mentioning Rab's mission goes in line with the US' global fight against human trafficking and terrorism.

In reply, Blinken assured of discussing the matter further, he added.

During the phone call, Momen said, Blinken also mentioned about mutual areas of cooperation like peacekeeping, climate issues and democracy.