Senator Dick Durbin and fellow Democrats defend controversial Muhammad Yunus

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Senator Richard J. Durbin (Dick Durbin) of Democratic Party, who faces controversy related to flight logs belonging to the family of pedophile Jeffrey Epstein has sent a letter along with 10 more Democrats to Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina defending controversial Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. Publishing the letter he wrote on ‘X’: “Today, I led a letter to the Bangladesh PM calling for an end to the persistent harassment of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus. We also called for an end to the Bangladeshi govt’s pattern of abusing the justice system to target critics of the govt more broadly”.

Following this, Jon Danilowicz, one of the lobbyists of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), an organization connected to Al Qaeda, wrote: “This is a welcome and significant initiative from @SenatorDurbin and colleagues. Even as the Biden Administration has seemingly lost focus, it is reassuring that the Congress is closely following events in #Bangladesh. In other cases, Hill pressure has catalyzed a broader policy response”.

It may be mentioned here that, Jon Danilowicz and few more former American diplomats are working for Al Qaeda connected BNP without registering under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). The US Department of Justice says, “penalty for a willful violation of FARA is imprisonment for not more than five years, a fine of up to US$250,000, or both. Certain violations are considered misdemeanors, with penalties of imprisonment of not more than six months, a fine of not more than US$5,000, or both”.

Senator Dick Durbin was publicly called out by US Senator Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee, for blocking her request to file a subpoena for the flight logs and then lying about any knowledge of the request.

Blackburn has called Durbin’s actions a “sad day in the history of the prestigious Judiciary Committee”.

Durbin has on-record condemned “US treatment of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay Naval Based to the “atrocities committed by “Nazis, Soviets in their gulags, or some mad regime — Pol Pot or others – that had no concern for human beings”.

Durbin later apologized to the military for the 2005 remarks, which he said were “a very poor choice of words”.

Dick Durbin also is extremely infamous for his notoriety against political opponents. In 2014, he repeatedly lobbied the IRS to probe conservative groups, according to a complaint filed with the Senate Select Committee on Ethics by The Center for Competitive Politics (CCP).

According to White House correspondent Fred Lucas, Durbin violated the post-Watergate laws prohibiting the White House from using the IRS for political reasons. Now, powerful members of the US Senate also are violating these laws.

“Durbin and his left-wing buddies in the Senate, Charles Shumer (D-NY) and Carl Levin (D-MI), interfered with executive branch agency proceeding, misused official resources for campaign purposes, gave at least the appearance of impropriety, and engaged in conduct that might reflect poorly on the Senate”, said Jim Tobin, President of Taxpayers United of America (TUA).

Lucas states that “In the closing weeks of the 2010 midterm election, Durbin wrote then-IRS Commissioner Douglas Shulman complaining that ‘one organization whose activities appear to be inconsistent with its tax status is Crossroads GPS’, the conservative organization affiliated with former Bush White House advisor Karl Rove”.

“Durbin’s actions may have triggered audits of conservative 501(c)(4) groups”, said Tobin. “The IRS sent letters to donors of these groups informing them that their contributions may be subject to gift taxes depending on whether the donations exceeded limits under the tax laws”.

“Sen. Dick Durbin has been in power so long he thinks he has the power of a banana-republic tyrant”, said Tobin. “It’s time Illinois voters wash their hands of this lout. It’s time for Durbin to be sent packing”.

Because of his notorious attempt of hiding truth behind list of pedophile passengers of Jeffery Epstein’s infamous ‘Lolita Express’ while people can assume Dick Durbin too might have been in the list, others say, Durbin’s actions were result of frantic persuasion by Bill Clinton, as he had travelled to Epstein’s private comfort house and spent hours with a large number of children for meet his nefarious pedophile addiction.

It is possible that the latest letter issued by Dick Durbin and his colleagues in the Democratic Party is result of push by Hillary and Bill Clinton, while there also might be secret hands of Barack Obama. Lobbyists of BNP might also have pushed secret envelopes to Durbin and others in exchange for this letter.

It may be mentioned here that, while receiving Nobel Peace Prize in 2006, Yunus had openly pledged of sending poverty to museum, while after 18 years – now it is proved – instead of sending poverty to museum, Yunus has pushed millions into dire poverty.

Meanwhile, in an opinion-editorial, British newspaper The Daily Express has criticized the “unexpected radical Islamist support for” him stating it is “not just a domestic affair but signals a disconcerting trend that could have far-reaching implications”.

The Daily Express said:

This trend underscores the manipulation of public opinion and the narrative by opponents of the ruling party, predominantly radical Islamist factions, representing a perilous attempt to contaminate public discourse.

Such strategies, limited for now to distant shores, have the potential to be exported to other nations, including the UK, which is also on the cusp of significant political change.

In the socio-political fabric of Bangladesh, the legal predicaments of Dr. Muhammad Yunus reflect a wider, troubling pattern threatening democracies. Accused under the Bangladesh Labour Act 2006, Dr. Yunus’s conviction has sparked substantial outcry, notably from radical Islamist factions within the country.

These factions have framed the legal proceedings as politically motivated, portraying Dr. Yunus as a victim of government oppression, a narrative seemingly championing justice but in reality often furthering their own extremist agendas.

Dr. Yunus, once a symbol of innovative economic empowerment, along with his associates, faced severe legal repercussions that have significantly dented his once stellar reputation.

It further said, “If the political accusations held substantial truth, one might expect the charges and penalties against Dr. Yunus to be far more severe or ‘dramatic’.

“The relatively measured nature of the court’s verdict suggests that, contrary to the claims of some critics, justice may have been served without the undue influence of political machinations.

“Most striking of all has been the sheer dismissal of workers’ claims of wrong-doings, a reality one would assume, should have warranted calls for investigations, and not absolute rebuttal.

“Holding true to their propensity to invert realities, radical Islamic groups have exploited the situation to portray the court’s decision as politically motivated, seeking to bolster their agenda under the guise of defending the oppressed.

This narrative, while local in its genesis, has implications that resonate far beyond Bangladesh’s borders”.

The Daily Express further said:

As observers and participants in a global community that values justice and the rule of law, it is incumbent upon us to view such cases with a critical and informed perspective.

Acknowledging Dr. Yunus’s past contributions does not preclude the necessity for accountability in the present.

As the UK, alongside Bangladesh and numerous other nations, nears a critical juncture with the impending elections in 2024, it is vital to grasp the wider international context of these developments.

The year ahead is poised to be a defining moment for democracies across the globe as they face the encroaching threats of obscurantism and authoritarian rule. With its general elections looming, the UK is not shielded from the repercussions of such political manoeuvres. It’s imperative for the country to brace itself against these global undercurrents, reaffirming the need for robust and vigilant democratic processes.

While the legal and political saga of Dr. Yunus might seem remote to the British public, the underlying dynamics are all too familiar.

Within the Commonwealth, built on the principles of democracy and rule of law, our collective history of confronting radicalism and religious obscurantism has shown that such forces can gain a significant foothold if left unchecked.

As a prominent member of the Commonwealth, the UK’s connection with Bangladesh is not just historical or diplomatic but deeply personal, woven into the fabric of our communities through a substantial Bangladeshi diaspora.

The belief that geographical distance provides immunity from overseas turmoil is a dangerous misconception. The evolving situation in Bangladesh, especially in the context of the impending elections, mirrors the challenges we face on our own soil, highlighting the interconnectedness of our struggles for democracy and pluralism.

While many globally continue to hold Dr. Yunus in high regard for his past achievements and the accolades that followed, it is crucial to remember that no individual, regardless of their fame, fortune, or contributions, is above the law.

Commenting on privileges Muhammad Yunus enjoys in the world, The Daily Express said, “The prestige and high profile enjoyed by Dr. Yunus should not exempt him from scrutiny or accountability, especially when faced with serious legal accusations. Indeed, the very principles of justice and equality demand that he, like any other citizen, is held accountable in a court of law if accused of wrongdoing”.

Yunus is one of the largest donors of Clinton Foundation.

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