Released on = April 1, 2006, 1:17 am

Press Release Author = Patricia Ovemarrie

Industry =

Press Release Summary = It is a matter of debate in Bangladesh, as to whether, Rapid
Action Battalion (RAB) is engaged in extra-judicial killing or the people so far
killed were subjects of encounter. Political opponents of the ruling BNP led
coalition government are always trying to label such death as extra-judicial
killing.

Press Release Body = It is a matter of debate in Bangladesh, as to whether, Rapid
Action Battalion (RAB) is engaged in extra-judicial killing or the people so far
killed were subjects of encounter. Political opponents of the ruling BNP led
coalition government are always trying to label such death as extra-judicial
killing. Leader of the opposition and President of Bangladesh Awami League (BAL)
Sheikh Hasina blamed RAb for murdering 'innocent' people. She said this not only in
her own country, but here in United States too on several occasions. To justify, who
is right and who is wrong, we have to carefully scrutinize the past track of Rapid
Action Battalion. If we have an unbiased judgment, it will become crystal clear to
us that, not a single innocent person were killed in encounter by RAB. Moreover, RAB
never runs after innocent people. Otherwise, political opponents of the present
government should have come with specific evidences against their claims. They could
not. It means, they have nothing evident in their hands. They are just trying to
abuse RAB as well the government of Bangladesh with wildest allegations, not only to
foil the image of the government, but also to tarnish the growing popularity of the
elite force.
Bangladesh had never been free from the hands of notorious criminals. Unfortunately,
most of these elements enjoy political blessings and shelters. Most of the political
parties (if not all) have hidden hands with the crime world, which they use to show
their muscle power to the political opponents. Foreign diplomats stationed or
visiting Dhaka are increasingly becoming skeptical as they are rather pressed by the
members of media to force-release diplomats reactions on 'crossfire' or
'extra-judicial killing' related incidents and other activities of the law enforcing
agencies including RAB to the extent of condemning or criticizing their role. They
(media) want to see them (diplomats) saying Rapid Action Battalion is engaged in
activities violative of the rule of law and infringing human rights. Diplomatic
circles in Dhaka love mixing with local people and have even greater passions for
interaction with journalists, But they are increasingly becoming annoyed at this
moment with the volleys of questions which are only narrowly based on and sharply
motivated to serve some pre-designed political purpose. And in doing so, those
newsmen very often move beyond personal dignity and violate professional neutralism
to which they have a commitments as the watchdog of the nation. 'Politicians are
partisans, journalists are only party people', said the diplomatic sources in Dhaka,
while trying to make a projection about how some journalists are out in their role
even to overtake politicians. Where is their patriotism at work? Why do they try to
malign the nation in the guise of maligning the government or RAB? An annoyed
diplomatic source asked: "Why some newsmen in Bangladesh in the name human rights
want to protect the criminals?"
Even very recently US Congressman Joseph Crowley expressed displeasure during his
visit to Dhaka saying the content of his meeting with Bangladesh Prime Minister
Khaleda Zia was not properly reported in the press.
Telling the mind of diplomats, another source said a senior diplomat from an
European Union country was visibly shocked at the number of questions that aimed at
maligning RAB. Quoting some diplomats, the source say they are not interested any
way in taking the cause of criminals, and contrary to it, they appreciate the way
the law enforcing agencies are combating the terrorists. Their only concern is to
see that nobody falls a victim of the infringement of human rights and the rule of
law.
The source say diplomats have full respect for Bangladesh government's law enforcing
agenda and the activities of the law enforcing agencies that aimed at providing
public safety and protecting the people from terrorist threats. The governments in
their homes countries are doing the same to protect their citizens and they are
encouraging Bangladesh government as well to take more and more stringent steps in
this regard. For that matter, the US government and the EU are also providing
training and logistics to beef up the capacity of the Rapid Action Battalion and
other law enforcing agencies. The source wondered why the section concerned of the
press were failing to read this global priority outlook and instead of trying to put
RAB in the dock.
A source reminded a statement of the Liberal Party leader in the British parliament
after the London subway bombing incidents. Speaking on the floor, Charles Kennedy
said the concept of human rights cannot be equally applied to an innocent victim and
a criminal. He was justifying the killing of Brazilian young Manezes and the
following debate that sought to revive the police right to shoot and kill terrorists
at sight before they can escape. Even during recently held Bangladesh-EU joint
commission meeting, the EU delegation circulated a special statement praising the
government and RAB in particular for its spectacular success in arresting Shaikh
Abdur Rahman and Bangla Bhai.
Just these are a few instances of international appreciation of the work of RAB.
Quoting the British MP, it is well understood that not a single innocent person in
Bangladesh was killed in encounter. They were all notorious criminals and God
fathers, and by doing this RAB has done the right thing. Let the world extend more
support to Rapid Action Battalion, Bangladesh government, and especially appreciate
the courageous efforts of State Minister for Home Affairs Lutfuzzaman Babar. Begum
Khaleda Zia shouls pay no heed to the senseless propaganda of Sheikh Hasina and
other politicians, who try to spoil the reputation of RAB.


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