Dhaka seeks temporary withdrawal of sanctions on RAB

Bangladesh has urged the United States to consider providing a temporary waiver for RAB as an institution as sanctions on the elite force might undermine the country's efforts to combat terrorism, violent extremism and transnational crime.

Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen expressed Bangladesh's concern on the issue of sanctions on RAB during his meeting with US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman at the US Department of State in Washington DC, according to a press release issued by Bangladesh's embassy in Washington. 

He said pending the legal procedure of delisting of RAB and individuals as well as remedial measures that the government of Bangladesh have taken up.

In response to queries from the US side, he elaborated on the context of the enactment of the Digital Security Act to combat cybercrimes, including those aimed at undermining religious harmony and victimising women and children. 

He also pointed out that the government is working with the EU to reassess the law and identify possible loopholes.

On the labour issue, in response to US queries, Bangladesh Foreign Secretary explained that the government has all intentions to improve the labour situation as per the roadmaps undertaken with the ILO and the EU, and proposed that the US can also join. 

Masud said not everything can be implemented overnight, but there is a gradual improvement, giving example of recent ratifications of Bangladesh of relevant ILO conventions on forced and child labour. 

Deputy Secretary Sherman appreciated Bangladesh Government's willingness to address these issues, while also stressing upon early implementation of the reform process specially regarding trade union rights in private sectors. 

She also discussed the democratic process in Bangladesh and on the possibility of Bangladesh's participation in the next Democracy Summit. 

On this, the foreign secretary informed her of progress like the enactment of the law on the formation of the Election Commission, and also about the recently concluded countrywide union parishad elections. 

The US deputy secretary of state underscored the importance of international rule-based order in the maritime domain, and both sides agreed that further works can be done together in the area of harnessing the blue economy. 

Foreign Secretary Masud also discussed the possibility of the highest-level visit on the occasion of the 50th year of diplomatic relations, and also on the issue of deportation of the self-confessed killer of the Father of the Nation from the US.  

The deputy secretary of state appreciated Bangladesh for 6% growth during pandemic situation, robust role in UN peacekeeping, climate change actions and in the Rohingya crisis.

Masud thanked the US for providing 61 million vaccines, and elaborated the government's measures to strike a balance between life and livelihood during the pandemic.

The foreign secretary also met Julieta Valls Noyes, US assistant secretary of state of the Bureau of Population, Refugee and Migration of the Department of State, and discussed the Rohingya issue. 

Julieta Noyes is scheduled to visit Bangladesh soon. 

She said the US really recognises the generosity of Bangladesh of keeping the forcibly displaced Rohingyas for so long. 

She agreed with Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen that without creating hope of repatriation, the displaced Rohingya population in Bangladesh pose major risks of radicalisation and transnational crimes.

Bangladesh Foreign Secretary underscored that return of the displaced Rohingyas is the best solution. The US Assistant Secretary expressed her country's willingness to remain deeply engaged, and emphasised on the need for education, livelihood etc. of the displaced Rohingyas. 

The foreign secretary said the US should participate in the humanitarian works in Bhasan Char and the Congressional embargo should be lifted. 

In this regard, Assistant Secretary Julieta informed that her upcoming visit is part of the US's reassessment process in this regard.