Bangladesh seeks withdrawal of sanctions on RAB, diversified investment from US
Bangladesh has sought withdrawal of sanctions against some sitting and retired officials of its elite law enforcement agency Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) for the alleged violation of human rights in Bangladesh. Foreign Minister Dr. A K Abdul Momen in his meeting with the US Secretary of State Blinken urged Washington to withdraw sanctions against RAB officials as it has played an important role in countering terrorism and checking drug trafficking in Bangladesh, reports the official news agency BSS. He assured the US that Bangladesh has taken remedial measures and in the last four months there has been no killing by RAB. Dr. Momen said that there were inbuilt mechanisms in the system to fix accountability against those who commit wrong. However, Secretary of State Blinken said that there is a certain process to withdraw the sanction.
Bangladesh also urged the US to diversify exports which are concentrated in energy and power sectors. He called upon the US to invest in sectors like IT and Pharmaceuticals. Dr Momen also urged the US help in improving the ease of doing business so that Dhaka can attract more FDI in economic zones and the High-Tech parks.
On the issue of Indo-Pacific, Dr. Momen assured the US that Bangladesh also wants a free, inclusive and open Indo-Pacific and it was willing to work together with the US.
THe US State Department in its read-out on the meeting between Secretary Blinken and Dr. Momen said that both sides discussed the tremendous economic potential of the relationship between the two countries. The US reaffirmed the importance of protecting human rights, rule of law and freedom of religion as the basis for safe and prosperous democratic societies.
