While Bangladesh government has recently cancelled special protection facilities which has been given to envoys of Saudi Arabia, United States, United Kingdom and India for more than three decades, as such special protection are not offered by those nations to Bangladeshi envoys, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, following her recent Japan, US and Britain tour has discussed a wide range of issues with the members of local and international media in Dhaka. Meanwhile, during an exclusive interview to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Sheikh Hasina launched a scathing critique against the US, accusing the country of harboring a bias against her administration.
She pointed out the sanctions imposed on the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) as a reflection of that bias.
During the half-hour-long conversation with journalist Yalda Hakim, the Bangladesh PM emphasized the remarkable progress achieved in Bangladesh over the past 14 years, attributing it to the country’s unwavering commitment to democracy.
A large number of topics were discussed during the interview, which included concerns raised by international human rights organizations regarding the human rights situation in Bangladesh, extrajudicial killings, US sanctions, democracy, and the Rohingya issue.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina vehemently rejected claims of autocratic or dictatorial practices in Bangladesh, emphasizing the significant strides made toward establishing a genuine democratic system.
“In the last 14 years alone, we have witnessed the emergence of a robust democratic system, enabling us to drive positive change”, she said.
During the interview, the focus revolved around the sanctions on RAB and the state of human rights in the country.
When asked to comment on the sanctions imposed on RAB, she said that the special force, which had been established in 2004 following advice from the US, had received training and equipment from the North American country.
She believes that RAB operated in a manner taught by the USA. Hence, she found the sanctions puzzling.
“This is a big question for me too”, she added. “I don’t know. Perhaps the United States did not want my work [running the state] to continue or was unwilling to acknowledge the developments I have ensured for Bangladesh.
“This is what I feel. At a certain point, terrorism became a problem for all nations, and Bangladesh effectively controlled it. Subsequently, the law enforcement forces worked diligently to maintain that control”.
Yalda Hakim mentioned that before the sanctions, gunfights resulted in 466 deaths in 2018, followed by 388 deaths in 2019 and 188 deaths in 2020. However, after the ban, the number of deaths dropped significantly to 15.
Responding to this, Sheikh Hasina questioned the accuracy and authenticity of the mentioned data. She said in most cases, law enforcement agencies were not responsible for these deaths.
She emphasized the need for evidence and offered to investigate if provided with relevant information.
In a so-called documentary produced by Deutsche Welle, two individuals from RAB leaked confidential information, alleging that orders for these killings had come from the highest level of the government. When asked about this, Hasina said she did not know how those individuals acquired such information. She drew attention to the ongoing incidents of multiple murders in the US, occurring almost daily and affecting schools, shopping malls, restaurants, and even targeting students and the general population.
She suggested that the US should focus more on their own situation and protect the lives of their citizens. Hasina reiterated her request for proof regarding the allegations made against her government, which had not been provided.
The Prime Minister said, “I think sanctions and counter-sanctions are like a game. It is still not clear to me why they [the United States] had imposed the ban”.
She also mentioned one of the Bangabandhu killers seeking refuge in the US saying her repeated requests for extradition had been rebuffed.
In a speech delivered in the Bangladesh Parliament in mid-April, Sheikh Hasina claimed that the United States aimed to change the power structure in Bangladesh.
When asked for evidence to support this statement, Hasina questioned the reasons behind the sanctions on RAB, she said while the law enforcement agencies were actively countering terrorism and taking action against human rights violators, it appeared that the US had sided with the violators rather than the victims.
When informed about the concerns expressed by Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the United Nations, Hasina acknowledged that these organizations had issued statements but contested their ability to provide proof.
“I don’t know what international game is currently being played”, she added.
In response to Yalda Hakim’s question about the motivations [of the US] to target her, Hasina revealed that her father had been killed by conspirators.
These individuals, who were responsible for the murder of her family members, including her 10-year-old brother, did not want anyone from her family to come to power.
During her press conference in Dhaka, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, her government cannot be tamed-down through blank threats of sanctions stating, “We will not buy anything from those who impose sanctions on us”.
She reminded, Bangladesh was liberated through the war of independence where some countries opposed it and even went further by attempting to send their Seventh Fleet to foil Bangladesh’s war of independence.
She further said, due to COVID and subsequent western sanctions following the war in Ukraine, there is inflation, food shortage in the developed nations, while Bangladesh’s economic growth is continuing. Sheikh Hasina reaffirmed that Bangladesh shall continue to prosper overcoming challenges posed by COVID and Ukraine war.
During the press conference Sheikh Hasina highlighted the key achievements during her recent Japan, US and UK tours.
Bangladesh needs Sheikh Hasina
Under the magnanimous statesmanship of Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh is continuing to prosper and the pace of such progress and prosperity shall continue under her dynamic leadership. Feeling envy of Bangladesh’s progress and prosperity, several foreign nations and vested interest groups are continuing numerous conspiracies against Sheikh Hasina’s government, while some of those countries – particularly the United States had joined hands with agents of radical Islam and jihadism. They want to turn Bangladesh into another Afghanistan or a rogue state like Pakistan. But patriotic Bengalis shall confront such evil nexus in unison. They shall not allow evil elements hijack Bangladesh and turn it into a land of terror and destruction.
