The United States has said the sanctions imposed on Bangladesh's elite force – Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) – are not being withdrawn.

“Those claims are false. The US is not withdrawing sanctions against the RAB. Those claims are false. Sanctions are intended to change behaviour and promote accountability,” said Vedant Patel, principal deputy spokesperson at the US Department of State.

He said this while responding to a question regarding the withdrawal of sanctions on the RAB at a regular press briefing at the Department of State in Washington DC on Thursday (May 16).

The US Embassy in Dhaka in a statement on X also confirmed this.

Earlier on December 10, 2021, the US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on RAB as well as seven of its current and former officers citing serious human rights violations.

BDST: 1452 HRS, MAY 17, 2024
MN