RAB’s importance recognised but lifting sanctions to take time: Blinken

GBNews24 Desk//

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has recognized the elite force RAB’s important counter-terrorism role, but stated that lifting sanctions and resuming training with American forces may take time.

During his bilateral meeting with Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen at the US State Department on Monday, Secretary Blinken appreciated that Bangladesh is re-examining the Digital Security Act (DSA).

Regarding the human rights related issues, both sides stressed upon the fact that there are some noticeable developments in the last four months, reports UNB.

Foreign Minister Momen emphasized that Bangladeshi law enforcers need training from the US on rules of engagement, and informed that there is an inbuilt system of inquiry in the RAB, which tracks all allegations, based on which a number of personnel have been penalized.

Depicting the context of the creation of RAB in 2004, he underscored that RAB has played a pivotal role in Bangladesh’s counter-terrorism efforts, which may be undermined by the sanctions.

Momen also sought the US Secretary of State’s attention and assistance for realizing the deportation of Rashed Chowdhury, one of the convicted killers of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who is residing in the US.

Appreciating ongoing works of the tripartite group on labour rights, he underscored that labour rights is an important determinant of Biden Administration’s foreign policy.

Noting that Bangladesh is not getting development finance due to the labour rights issues, he stressed upon resolving all the impediments.

He positively responded to the proposal of deepening maritime cooperation as two countries have the shared goal of a free and secure Indo-Pacific.

Two side discussed the whole gamut of US-Bangladesh bilateral relations.