Sanction
EU imposes restrictive measures on 22 individuals, 4 entities in Myanmar
The Council of the European Union has adopted the fourth round of sanctions in view of the continuing grave situation and intensifying human rights violations in Myanmar, following the military coup in the country on February 1, 2021.
The European Union on Monday said they are deeply concerned by the continuing escalation of violence in Myanmar and the evolution towards a protracted conflict with regional implications. Since the military coup, the situation has gravely deteriorated continuously.
As a matter of priority, the EU reiterated its calls for an immediate cessation of all hostilities, and an end to the disproportionate use of force and the state of emergency.
Also read: EU chief: Russia could be cut off from markets, tech goods
The European Union said they will continue to provide humanitarian assistance in accordance with the principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence.
The EU reiterated its call for the full and immediate respect of international humanitarian law.
The new listings target 22 people and four entities, including government ministers, a member of the State Administrative Council and members of the Union Election Commission, as well as high-ranking members of the Myanmar Armed Forces (Tatmadaw).
As regards the sanctioned entities, these are either state-owned companies providing substantive resources to the Tatmadaw, or private companies closely connected to the Tatmadaw's top leadership.
These companies are Htoo Group, IGE (International Group of Entrepreneurs), Mining Enterprise 1 (ME 1) and Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE).
Restrictive measures now apply to a total of 65 individuals and 10 entities, and include an asset freeze and a prohibition from making funds available to the listed individuals and entities. In addition, a travel ban applicable to the listed persons prevents these from entering or transiting through EU territory.
Also read: ASEAN special envoy on Myanmar urged to meet Aung San Suu Kyi
The existing EU restrictive measures also remain in place.
These comprise an embargo on arms and equipment that can be used for internal repression, an export ban on dual-use goods for use by the military and border guard police, export restrictions on equipment for monitoring communications that could be used for internal repression, and a prohibition on military training for and military cooperation with the Tatmadaw.
The restrictive measures come in addition to the withholding of EU financial assistance directly going to the government and the freezing of all EU assistance that may be seen as legitimising the junta.
The relevant legal acts, including the names of the persons concerned, will be published in the Official Journal.
No possibility of expansion of sanctions: Shahriar
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam on Thursday said there is no possibility to expand the US sanctions beyond the existing individuals in Bangladesh, noting that it will not have any impact on other areas.
“There’s no impact of it (sanctions) in other areas. I can tell you very confidently. Even, there’s no possibility of US sanctions’ expansion,” he said referring to their greater engagement with the US over the last one month and trashed the rumors around.
While responding to questions from reporters at his office, the State Minister also referred to rumors spread by some quarters, including BNP-Jamaat, on imposing further sanctions by the United Nations and the European Union (EU) and cited the examples of how the UN spokesperson and EU Ambassador in Dhaka responded to media queries.
Also read: No US plan to impose sanctions on Bangladesh: Congressman Meeks
“We’ve done many things and we’re still working on many issues. We remain engaged since the US imposed sanctions on individuals,” he said, adding that one thing is very clear that the conspiracy hatched against the country by the conspirators did not work.
The State Minister said the government wants to cooperate with RAB and will further strengthen it; and termed the US sanctions “unfortunate” and “disproportionate” action.
He said it is their responsibility to protect RAB and its officers as they are the partners of many success stories on the security front. “We’re trying to know more why the sanctions were imposed.”
Also read: No impact on European business interest in Bangladesh, says EU envoy about sanctions
The State Minister said they have discussed with legal experts to explore the available avenues to withdraw the sanctions. “We’re looking into legal issues.”
Shahriar said they had a very effective meeting with the EU where they discussed how the relationship between Bangladesh and the EU will look like after 2026.
UN Peacekeeping: 12 global HR bodies seek ban on RAB
Twelve international human rights organisations have written a letter to the United Nations Department of Peace Operations seeking a ban on Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) from UN deployment for its alleged involvement in torture, enforced disappearances, and other human rights violations.
The letter was sent to UN Under-Secretary-General Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the US-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) disclosed it on its website on Thursday.
“Human rights organisations have documented widespread RAB abuses. UN human rights experts have also voiced concerns about allegations that members of the unit engaged in torture, enforced disappearances, and other human rights violations,“ it said.
The Department of Peacekeeping Operations has yet to provide a formal response to the letter which was sent privately over two months ago on November 8, 2021.
“If Secretary General Guterres is serious about ending human rights abuses by UN peacekeepers, he will ensure that units with proven records of abuse like the Rapid Action Battalion are excluded from deployment,” said Kerry Kennedy, president of Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights. “The evidence is clear; now it’s time for the UN to draw a line.”
Read: Ensure quick services to expats, FM Momen asks DCs
On December 10, the United States government designated RAB as a “foreign entity that is responsible for or complicit in, or has directly or indirectly engaged in, serious human rights abuse,” under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, according to HRW.
On December 5, the UN Working Group on Enforced and Involuntary Disappearances voiced concerns that “members of RAB would be eligible to participate in UN peacekeeping operations, without any previous investigation into their alleged involvement in the commission of human rights abuses or a thorough vetting process.”
The Working Group also said that officers involved in, or willing to tolerate, abuses “appear to be promoted and rewarded within the Bangladesh security and law enforcement forces,” it said.
In March 2021, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said, “Allegations of torture and ill-treatment by the Rapid Action Battalion have been a long-standing concern.”
In its concluding observations during Bangladesh’s 2019 review of its obligations under the Convention against Torture, the Committee against Torture stated that it is “concerned at reports that personnel that have served with the Rapid Action Battalion have frequently been deployed for service with United Nations peace missions.”
Read: It’s done to alert, not to punish: US envoy about sanctions
“The deployment of members of the RAB in peacekeeping operations reinforces a message that grave human rights abuses will not preclude one from service under the UN flag and increases the chances of human rights abuses being committed in UN missions,” said Louis Charbonneau, United Nations director at Human Rights Watch.
“The UN should send a clear signal to host and troop-contributing countries that abusive units will not be part of the UN.”
The organizations that signed the letter are-Amnesty International, Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD),Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), Asian Human Rights Commission, Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL)Capital Punishment Justice Project, CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation, Human Rights Watch, International Federation for Human Rights, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, The Advocates for Human Rights and World Organization Against Torture (OMCT).
People did neither accept nor like sanctions on RAB: Momen to Blinken
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has conveyed to US Secretary of State Antony J Blinken that the people of Bangladesh did neither accept nor like the designated sanctions imposed on the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and its some of the present and former officials.
“I shared the spirit of the country’s people. They (people of Bangladesh) didn’t accept it. They didn’t like it,” he told reporters at a media briefing at Foreign Service Academy while responding to a question on his recent telephone conversation with the US Secretary of State.
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, Secretary (East) Mashfee Binte Shams and Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Muhammad Imran, among others, were present at the media briefing on Indian President Ram Nath Kovind's ongoing three-day state visit to Bangladesh.
Earlier, US State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said Secretary Blinken reaffirmed their long-standing partnership with Bangladesh on development, economic growth, and security.
"The two leaders discussed the importance of human rights and agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation and address shared global challenges," said the Spokesperson.
Also read: Blinken calls up FM Momen; discusses bilateral issues
Dr Momen explained why the people of the country did not accept it, noting that the two countries have around 50 years of trusted friendship.
“We discussed all the issues through a number of dialogue platforms. We resolved all issues with our neighbours through discussions. Naturally, we had an expectation that you would inform us beforehand in the case of taking any decision. We didn’t like it,” said the Foreign Minister what he conveyed to his US counterpart.
Dr Momen described RAB as a “very disciplined force free from corruption” and said RAB is working very efficiently as the US has taken a number of initiatives globally against terrorism, human trafficking, crimes and war against drugs.
He said no terrorist attacks took place in Bangladesh after the Holey Artisan incident due to RAB’s efficient handling of the issues.
Also read: Efforts on to change Washington’s decision of sanctions: FM Momen
“People have a lot of confidence in RAB,” Dr Momen said, adding that neither side did talk about withdrawal of the sanctions but laid emphasis on discussions.
In reply, the US Secretary of State said they will discuss as there are scopes for working together in many areas like human rights, democracy, peacekeeping and climate change, said the Foreign Minister.
“I told him that we’re a democratic country,” Dr Momen said, adding that Bangladesh gives much importance on strengthening democracy and addressing human rights issues as the country has a good reputation worldwide.
The Foreign Minister said there are many ongoing dialogue mechanisms between the two countries and suggested the US Secretary of State to call if there are any problems and they are likely to have a meeting in Washington in the coming Spring.
“He was very positive, I should say, the way he responded to us. We’ve a good rapport I should say,” Dr Momen said.
The US Secretary of State made a phone call to Dr Momen on Wednesday evening and discussed issues of mutual interests.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam said on the eve of the 50th anniversary of the Victory of Bangladesh, the US Secretary of State and Foreign Minister Dr Momen spoke over phone at length.
"Both renewed the resolve to take forward the relationship further. They also agreed to increased engagement while celebrating the 50th anniversary of bilateral relationship,” the State Minister tweeted.
Earlier, US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl R Miller was summoned by Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen on Saturday to convey Dhaka’s “discontent” over the designated sanctions imposed by the US Departments of Treasury and of State on some of the present and former officials of the RAB.
Foreign Secretary Momen expressed Bangladesh’s disappointment that the decision was taken "unilaterally" by the US Administration without any prior consultation with the Government of Bangladesh.
He flagged that the issues that were cited for imposing the designated sanctions remained under active discussions, including under the framework of the regular institutional dialogues between the two sides, and that yet the US decision came without any prior intimation.
The Foreign Secretary regretted that the US decided to undermine an agency of the government that had been on the forefront of combating terrorism, drug trafficking and other heinous transnational crimes that were considered to be shared priorities withU successive US administrations.
Ambassador Miller took note of the concerns raised by the Government of Bangladesh, and assured of conveying the same to his Capital, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He concurred that the excellent multifaceted relations between two countries could be further deepened through established consultation mechanisms and high level visits.
Ambassador Miller further expressed the willingness of the US Government to remain closely engaged with the Government of Bangladesh in the coming days on issues of mutual interest.
‘Working to protect human rights, not to violate’: RAB commander about US sanctions
Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), as an entity, has been working to protect human rights since its formation and not to violate those, said Commander Al Moin, director of RAB legal and media wing, on Saturday.
He said this at a press briefing while replying to questions from journalists on the sanctions imposed by the United States on RAB and its seven current and former officials over the allegation of violating human rights. The briefing was held at RAB’s Karwan Bazar media centre.
Commander Moin said RAB has so far lost 28 of its 9,000 members in different operations and got 2,000 injured and 1,000 maimed.
Also read: US imposes sanctions on RAB, 7 individuals
He said Bangladesh has been able to tackle militancy and free the Sundarbans from robbers due to RAB’s constant efforts.
RAB has been working to bring back the militants and forest robbers to normal life through rehabilitating them alongside working to protect the human rights, the RAB commander insisted.
“We’ve not received any official letter regarding the sanctions yet. We’ll take steps upon receiving the official letter,” said Moin.
He said there is no scope to break laws as a RAB official as this elite force is much stricter than any other forces when it comes to punishing its members for defying laws.
The United States on Friday imposed human rights-related sanctions on Benzir Ahmed, current Inspector General of the Bangladesh Police and former Director General of RAB, and six other individuals on the occasion of International Human Rights Day.
Also read: Sanctions on RAB: FM says impact on relations depends on US
The US Department of State announced visa restrictions on Benazir Ahmed, which it says, due to his “involvement in gross violations of human rights” making him ineligible for entry into the United States.
RAB as an entity, Benzir Ahmed, and six other officials were designated by the Department of the Treasury under the Global Magnitsky sanctions programme in connection with serious human rights abuse, said the US Department of State.