US Congressman Gregory W. Meeks, Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued a statement on Saturday clearing his position on the designation of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) by the US administration.
His statement came on the heel of allegations that his remarks on sanction on Bangladesh made at a meeting in New York last week, was distorted by several quarters.
In the latest statement Meeks said, he does not believe wholesale sanctions on Bangladesh are warranted at present, but he strongly supports the designation of the Rapid Action Battalion and several of its current and former members by the US government.
"I believe sanctions can be most useful when they are targeted and don't believe wholesale sanctions on Bangladesh are currently warranted. However, I strongly support the Biden Administration's designation of the Rapid Action Battalion and several of its current and former members under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights and Accountability Act for human rights violations" he said.
The Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee added that he will continue to support the strengthening of the US-Bangladesh relationship and look forward to working to help address human rights and democracy challenges in the country, including ensuring that the country's next elections are free and fair.
