US Government Suspends Support to Controversial Bangladesh Rapid Action Battalion For More Than 700 Extra-judicial Killings Since its Formation

The United states has informed Bangladesh that it will not continue with training programmes and assistance for the Rapid Action Battalion citing a gross violation of human rights by the battalion personnel.

In an official letter to the inspector general of police, the United States said that it had determined that ‘individual members and units of the Rapid Action Battalion are ineligible for US training and assistance as a result of gross violation of human rights which have been committed by RAB members.’

Copies of the letter signed by the chargé-d’affaires at the US embassy in Dhaka, Jon F Danilowicz, on February 3 were also sent to the home secretary and the director general of the battalion, an elite police force police.

The US authorities wanted that the country should take effective steps to bring members responsible for such rights violation to justice for the continuity of the US-funded training programmes.

‘Henceforth, we request that the government of Bangladesh refrain from nominating RAB members for US-funded training opportunities until such time as US restrictions are lifted,’ the letter said.

‘As noted above, this can only occur once there has been a determination that gross violations of human rights by RAB have ceased and the government of Bangladesh takes sufficient corrective action against the perpetrators of past abuses,’ it said.

At least 760 people were killed extrajudicially by the battalion till August 2013 since the elite force was set up in 2004, according to statistics available with rights watchdog Odhikar. In addition, 31 people were tortured to death by RAB during the period.

The US government funds training programmes for foreign security forces under the Foreign Assistance Act 1961.

A battalion official said that they had bee informed of the US stand through the foreign ministry in regard to their training programmes.

The extrajudicial killings by the battalion that began during the BNP-led alliance government continued during the Awami League’s tenure in office although the the current ruling party in its election manifesto in 2008 pledged steps to end such killings.

The Awami League, however, did not mention any such thing regarding the extrajudicial killing in its election manifesto for the national elections that took place on January 5.

Source- Dhaka Tribune

Reports of Government Sponsored Mass Killings and Vandalism in Satkhira

A joint operation by the Police, elite force RAB and border guards is ongoing in the Western Bangladeshi district of Satkhira. Tens of opposition workers have become victim of targeted killing. Many a women are reported assaulted, and thousand have fled in fear from their homes. The forces have further cut off access to all media, making it hard for reporters to report the ongoing atrocities.

On Monday, 16th December, the joint forces had bulldozed and demolished the homes of opposition leader and ex Member of Parliament, Abdul Khaleq, in the western district of Shatkira in Bangladesh. The operation lasted for four hours until 2130 local time on Monday, 16th December 2013. Family members of Abdul Khaleq reported that the police came looking for him, and that they vandalized his home upon failing to find him. They further accused the police of looting the house of gold jewellery and cash money.

Earlier on the same day, the joint forces raided the houses of two other opposition leaders. Failing to find them, the forces looted the valuables and set the house to fire. Reports have also emerged of women and even the elderly and children being assaulted and abused in other parts of the district.

The police superintendent (SP) of Satkhira turned down request to comment on the demolition of opposition homes. However he confirmed that a joint operation against opposition activists is ongoing in Satkhira, as part of the wider nation-wide crackdown on opposition workers in opposition-stronghold districts, such as Chittagong, Feni, Sylhet, Bogra and others.

[Warning: Disturbing images below]

Images of demolished homes and deceased victims:

Cover Image: The destroyed home of Anarul, the ex-chairman of Agordari Union of Satikhira District

Source: progressbangladesh official website, Published: 19 Dec 2013