No scope to repeal sanctions on Rab without actions: US envoy

United States Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas said his authorities have no scope for repealing the sanctions against Rab without concrete actions and accountability.

The US envoy made the comment while speaking at a seminar organised at Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies on US-Bangladesh relations on Sunday.

He said:"We want to see a Rab which is capable of combatting terrorism but which is also capable of respecting basic human rights." 

Noting that the sanctions do not mean that US and Bangladesh will not continue strong law enforcement security cooperations, he further said:"We will continue to work with Bangladesh to combat violent terrorism, combat transnational crime and enhance security."

"We will continue our support to the transnational crime police and to the anti-terrorism unit and the specialised police units in Chattogram, Sylhet and Rajshahi. The signing of a proposed memorandum of agreement would facilitate our assistance training program and to donate new equipment to the police," he added.

Mentioning that the USA is not perfect, he stated:"We have embarked on our own democratic renewal. This journey ensures tackling our own issues with police accountability. We are inviting other countries in the world to make similar commitments."

Referring that it was the former US Ambassador James F Moriarty who had called Rab the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) of Bangladesh, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen, also present at the event, said:"Rab has since then done an excellent job at combatting terrorism. Maybe we have to look at it more closely to see how to increase accountability…but this is a great institution."

"Let us have a road – you tell me where the gap is and we will try to work with you," he added.