Momen writes to Blinken seeking removal of sanctions on RAB

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has written a long letter to his US counterpart Antony J. Blinken on a number of issues including a call to “waive sanctions” on RAB, its current and former senior officials.

“This is vitally important that we begin to work on a priority basis to find ways and means to waive sanctions,” Dr Momen wrote in his letter sent on December 24 where he had referred the candid discussions he had with Blinken that gave Bangladesh the hope that the issue would be resolved “quickly with due seriousness”.

Dr Momen updated the US Secretary of State sharing Bangladesh’s position on democracy, freedom of speech and human rights, minority and labour rights issues in his letter apart from touching upon sanctions issue broadly, a diplomatic source in Washington told UNB.

The Foreign Minister said they are confident that the continuation of sincere and candid dialogues between the two friendly countries would help advance the bilateral relations on the basis of mutual respect and benefits.

Bangladesh remains convinced that the US would continue to be a trusted and contributing partner in our journey towards emerging as a knowledge-based, tech-savvy and developed nation.

In his letter, Dr Momen wished Secretary Blinken and his family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2022.

Over the years, Dr Momen said, RAB has emerged as the most efficient law enforcement agency of the Government that has been at the forefront of combating terrorism, drug trafficking, human trafficking and other transnational crimes. RAB’s crucial role in quelling crimes has generated much confidence among the citizens.

RAB has achieved public confidence as it delivers and is not corrupt, and at the same time, as excesses of abuse have dramatically reduced over the last decade, he said.