Lifting Sanctions on Rab: All efforts in place

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen told parliament yesterday that the US sanctions on Rab were nothing but a political matter.

The lifting of sanctions is a long-term process, the minister said, adding that  strong diplomatic efforts were made since the beginning to resolve it.

Responding to a question from Jatiya Party MP Mujibul Haque Chunnu, he said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other agencies of the government are working together to get the ban withdrawn and prevent such bans in future.

The Bangladesh embassy in Washington continues to maintain round-the-clock communication with the US State Department. As per their advice, the foreign ministry is taking immediate steps.

The ministry is also coordinating regularly with the Rab, legal aid agencies, law ministry and the Bangladesh mission in this regard.

Highlighting the steps taken by the government to have the ban on Rab withdrawn, the minister said, “I spoke to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken over the phone after the ban was imposed. At that time, there was an open discussion about how Bangladesh and the United States will work to lift the ban.

“Later, on his invitation, I visited Washington and held a bilateral meeting. In the meeting, Bangladesh’s position on the ban on Rab and the development of the human rights situation in Bangladesh were highlighted.”

Momen said, during that visit, a meeting was held with various individuals, including senators and congressmen. “I requested their support in lifting the ban. I also emphasised the need for the formation of the Congressional Bangladesh Caucus.”

During a meeting, Assistant Foreign Minister Donald Lu, who visited Bangladesh recently, especially praised the current activities of Rab, he added.

Momen said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Bangladesh embassy in Washington, along with legal aid organisations, have continued strong diplomatic efforts to get the ban on Rab lifted.