FM looking for way to withdraw US sanctions

Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr. A K Abdul Momen reiterated the government's desire to work closely with the United States to find a way to withdraw the US sanctions on the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and its officers.

He also sought the cooperation of the US Congress in this regard. Dr. Momen went to New York on February 23 to attend the official meeting of the United Nations. Momen.

During this visit, he held meetings with Congresswoman Grace Meng (D-NY) on 28 February and with Congressman James P. McGovern (D-MA), the Co-Chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, on 01 March. Due to COVID-19 related protocols, both the meetings took place on a virtual platform.

In his meetings with the US lawmakers, Foreign Minister Momen briefed them on the impressive socio-economic development that has taken place in Bangladesh under the dynamic and visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The lawmakers highly appreciated Bangladesh's tremendous development under the leadership of the Prime Minister.

Dr. Momen thankfully acknowledged the strong US humanitarian and political support to Bangladesh in dealing with the Rohingya crisis and sending COVID vaccines.

He requested the US lawmakers to persuade Myanmar in all possible ways to create a safe and secure environment in Rakhine State and take back all the forcibly displaced Rohingya people temporarily staying in Bangladesh to their homeland in Myanmar.

The US lawmakers commended Bangladesh’s generosity in hosting this huge number of Rohingyas and said that they would continue their efforts in this regard.

Foreign Minister Momen underscored the importance of further expanding the trade and investment relations between Bangladesh and the United States, and deepening the excellent partnership in the coming days.

Expressing concern about the recent US sanctions on RAB and its seven current and former senior officials, Foreign Minister Dr. Momen informed the US lawmakers that Bangladesh had always shown its readiness to deal with specific allegations against RAB members.

He mentioned that RAB has emerged as the most efficient law enforcement agency in Bangladesh over the years, and has been at the forefront of combating terrorism, violent extremism, drug and human trafficking, and other transnational crimes.

The Foreign Minister also mentioned about Bangladesh government’s willingness to work closely with the US to find ways and means to waive sanctions on the RAB and its officials on a priority basis, and sought the support of the US Congress to that end.

Dr. Momen invited both the lawmakers to visit Bangladesh, along with congressional delegations, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Bangladesh and the United States.

Although he has not yet been able to hold direct meetings with senior US officials during his official visit to the United States, he is busy with private activities. He is attending 2/3 programs of different social organizations almost every day.