The US decision to sanction members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) is ‘outrageous’, says Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
“I want to be clear – we punish any member of our law enforcement agencies, whether they are RAB, or police, or whoever, if they are found guilty of an offence,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina said this while attending an event to mark the 18th anniversary of the formation of the elite force at the RAB headquarters via videoconferencing on Monday, reports bdnews24.com.
“But it is unfortunate that a country which does not properly punish such offences in its own forces will impose sanctions on RAB members who are not at fault without any proper cause.”
Hasina criticised the sanctions, saying: “I do not know if they were offended by the successes we have had in fighting crimes, in resolving the Holey Artisan attack in a matter of hours and in stopping bandits, robbers and drug traders. It is true that Bangladesh has been successful at fighting these evils. And, as such, it is outrageous that such sanctions were imposed.”
“Some people are spreading negative propaganda about Bangladesh,” Hasina said.