Bangladesh
Human Rights Abuses US acknowledges Bangladesh's actions in prosecuting human rights abuses
Own Correspondent, Dhaka, April 14: The United States has acknowledged the steps taken by the Bangladesh government to bring to justice some members of the security forces accused of human rights abuses in the 2021 Country Report on Human Rights Practices published worldwide.
The 198 countries and territorial report for the 2021 calendar year states that "the government has taken steps to investigate and prosecute corruption, torture and killings of security forces."
The report states that the US State Department has created "information-based" documents in consultation with experts on workers' rights, policing and security issues, women's issues and more.
Meanwhile, US embassy officials in Dhaka said in a media briefing that their report on human rights practices not only found human rights violations, but also showed a positive trend in Bangladesh.
A spokesman for the embassy told a briefing at the American Center that "the Bangladesh government has taken steps to rectify these (human rights) violations or to launch programmes in human rights and other areas."
He said as Bangladesh and the United States mark the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations this year, efforts to strengthen democracy, good governance and human rights would be a priority.
The official said the United States had not just reported human rights abuses. Rather we come forward to work together with different countries to make it better.
Another US embassy official said the Biden administration has set specific goals to strengthen democracy, protect human rights and fight corruption around the world.
He said, "We invest in the human rights of our own people. At the same time we support our partners around the world."
He added that talks were underway between Washington and Dhaka on the sanctions on the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).
According to the report, widespread human rights violations have taken place in Bangladesh during the period mentioned, including extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearance, There have been inhumane and serious restrictions on independent expression and the media.
