Sanction on RAB: Bangladesh summons US envoy

The Foreign Ministry of Bangladesh has summoned the US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl Miller for explanation over human rights sanctions against Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and seven of its officials.

Foreign Minister Dr A K Abdul Momen told journalists after ending a programme held at Foreign Service Academy in the capital on Saturday. 

He said, it is unfortunate. A discussion was held with the US Ambassador to Bangladesh in this regard. He is also surprised. 

On Friday, the United States imposed the sanctions on RAB and seven current and former top officials of the agency, including Benazir Ahmed, now inspector general of police. 

Benazir, former director general of RAB, and five officials were designated by the Department of the Treasury under the Global Magnitsky sanctions programme in connection with serious rights abuse.

The five are RAB Director General Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun; Khan Mohammad Azad, additional director general (operations) of RAB; Tofayel Mustafa Sorwar, former additional director general (operations); Mohammad Jahangir Alam, former additional director general (operations), and Mohammad Anwar Latif Khan, former additional director general (operations).

Besides, the US State Department barred Benazir, and another former official of RAB Lt Col Miftah Uddin Ahmed, from traveling to the United States.