Bangladesh defends Rab

Dhaka yesterday defended the actions of Rab saying the force is on the forefront of combating heinous crimes, including terrorism and drug trafficking. 

It also raised questions about the human rights situation in the US.

The response came after the United States on Friday imposed sanctions on Rab and seven of its current and former officials, including Benazir Ahmed, now inspector general of police (IGP), and Director General of the force Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun.

The authorities here termed the US decision unilateral and underscored the need for pursuing the path of dialogue, engagement and collaboration, instead of "resorting to naming and shaming that has proven to be a self-defeating exercise".

"The government has no information on who were killed by the Rab," Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen said after an event at the Foreign Service Academy yesterday.

"They [the US authorities] should do more fact-finding and not say anything just for the sake of saying," he said, regretting the sanctions on "such an institution that made Bangladesh free of terrorists, including Bangla Bhai".

Momen said people "trust the institution".

He claimed that six lakh people disappear and police kill about 1,000 every year in the US, but no one is punished. "This [sanctions] probably is just for a show."

Asked if the US move could affect the bilateral relationship with Bangladesh, the minister said it may be the case, but the US can say it.

He said the US took actions against many countries but those were beneficial neither to those countries nor the US people.

In another development, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen yesterday summoned US Ambassador Earl R Miller and expressed Bangladesh's disappointment at the US sanctions.

The decision was taken unilaterally and without any prior consultation with the Bangladesh government, Masud said.

The issues cited for imposing the designated sanctions remain under active discussions, he said, adding that the US decided to undermine an agency that had been on the forefront of combating crimes considered to be shared priorities with successive US administrations.

The foreign secretary regretted that the allegations made against Rab over certain specific incidents had been explained, along with information on the corresponding justice and accountability measures undertaken, to not just the US administration but also to a number of UN human rights mechanisms on multiple occasions.

He emphasised that Bangladesh remained committed to upholding the rule of law and human rights, and maintained a "zero tolerance" approach to any wrongdoings or aberrations by its law enforcement agencies.

Besides, he highlighted that the observance of the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the two friendly countries next year should open up further avenues to enhance the breadth and dimensions of the existing partnership.

Ambassador Miller took note of the concerns raised, and assured of conveying the same to Washington DC. He expressed the willingness of the US government to remain closely engaged with Bangladesh in the coming days on issues of mutual interests.

Yesterday, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan claimed that the authorities investigate every incident of human rights violation in Bangladesh and take legal action accordingly.

He said the US did not impose the sanctions fairly.

"They did it based on exaggerated news. Maintaining law and order is a challenging task in Bangladesh," he told reporters after attending a programme at Dhaka Wasa.

Meanwhile, Rab claimed that the force does not violate human rights.

At a press conference, Rab Director (Legal and Media Wing) Commander Khandaker Al Moin said 28 members of the force, with a manpower of 9,000, have sacrificed their lives to protect human rights and maintain law and order.

Besides, more than 1,000 members got maimed and 2,000 others injured, he said.

About the "gunfights" involving Rab, he claimed that they open fire only in self-defence and when under attack by criminals during drives.

Moin said Rab initiatives made the Sundarbans robber-free with around 326 rehabilitated. Besides, many militants returned to normal life because of their initiatives.

"Rab always takes strict action against its members whenever they violate the law," he added.