US sanctions on Bangladesh elite force influences domestic, regional policy shift: political scientist

By SM Najmus Sakib

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AA) - The recent US sanction of the Bangladeshi elite force RAB and China’s aggressive but affordable development projects proposals, plunged the South Asian country into a tough geopolitical position.

The US Treasury Department designated Benazir Ahmed, Bangladesh’s current police chief and former head of the RAB, and six officials, under the Global Magnitsky sanctions program in connection with the extrajudicial killing of 600 people and enforced disappearances.

Ali Riaz, professor of political science at Illinois State University and nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, recently shared his views on recent developments and emerging geopolitical context with Anadolu Agency.

He said US sanctions indicated a global and regional policy shift.

Riaz suggested addressing the domestic human rights situation and said Bangladesh needs to make tough decisions in the coming days.

Since the sanctions were imposed, there have been no reported killings.

But before the US sanction took effect, there was a reported killing in the southern district of Barguna, one in the southcentral Bhola district and three who died in “crossfires” in the southeast of Dhaka Cumilla district on Nov. 30 and Dec. 10, according to The Daily Star newspaper.

On the other hand, a local court termed the killing of retired Maj. Sinha Mohammad Rashed Khan by “gunshot” in July 2020 as “cold blood murder” last month. The court handed down the death penalty to police officials involved in the killing in Cox’s Bazar.

At least 3,135 people were killed in "gunfights" between law enforcement and security agencies and criminals from January 2001 to September 2021, according to local rights organization, Odhikar.

- Instead of lobbying, improve human rights situation

Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen, in a recent visit to the US, requested that American congresswoman Grace Meng and congressman James McGovern find ways to waive sanctions on RAB and its officials.

The minister assured the US that Bangladesh is always ready to deal with specific allegations against RAB members, according to a government statement.

Riaz said that the effectiveness of US sanctions is dependent on whether they are used judiciously and targeted at the perpetrators.

“But the government needs to understand instead of lobbying, it should address the questions of the state of human rights situation. It is not only about the RAB but the government needs to investigate the overall situation.”

The US sanctions on RAB and its leaders are indicative of a global and regional policy shift of the United States, he said.

“The sanction should not be viewed as a separate act but as a marker of other potential actions -- both publicly and through diplomatic channels. It will intensify the ongoing geopolitical contestation in the Asia-Pacific region,” he said.

“Bangladesh will not remain immune to this contestation. The impacts of it will be slow, but there is likely pressure for the expansion of democratic space and freedom of expression in the coming year. These will impact domestic politics,” he said.

- Make right decision in geopolitical context

Momen, at the Munich Security Conference last month, sought global investment and technological support, mentioning that China was offering vast proposals of investment in Bangladesh amid its growing need for money.

Later, talking to journalists in Germany, he denied the government does not maintain sole dependency on any country, including the US or China on strategic or investment grounds.

Riaz said: “The difficult decisions include charting a clear course of actions focusing on the long-term national interests of balancing economic and political gains.”

“Bangladesh must understand that its choice of friendship is neither a binary between India and China nor should it be a decision for immediate gains of the incumbent. In the geopolitical context, Bangladesh should not align with powers that will make it a pawn of regional contestation but allow it to act as an important actor in the region,” he added.

- Fair, participatory elections

Political parties started preparing for the next national election in 2023 in the context of an alleged poor electoral process and democratic status.

Bangladesh’s global development partners, including the US and EU, emphasized a free and participatory national election.

In the meantime, the president appointed a new election commission last month despite opposition from the ruling party’s archrival, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), deeming it a “political” appointment.

Riaz is yet to be optimistic about the next election being free and fair.

“A credible, inclusive, and fair election requires a neutral government. The incumbent Awami League has not demonstrated any inclination to do so. However, for the future of the country, especially to remain an effective and democratic participant of the international system, it needs to hold a free election,” he said.