DHAKA, March 30, 2022 (BSS) – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today told the parliament that a section of people of the country masterminded behind the United States’ sanction on the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).
 
“If the country’s people defame their own country abroad there is nothing to say . . . the sanction on RAB came as a group of local vested quarter was behind it,” she said. 
 
 The Premier made these remarks in the Jatiya Sangsad while replying to a supplementary question from Jatiya Party lawmaker Md. Mujibul Haque of Kishoreganj-3 regarding the sanction on RAB and its officials. 
 
 After the 9/11, she said, the USA suggested different countries to curb terrorism and following their advice the then BNP government established RAB.
 
 She said there is no doubt that they (BNP) have used RAB indiscriminately.
 
 But, originally during the tenure of Awami League, RAB worked to curb terrorism, militancy, women repression, investigation of any murder or such human activities, she said, adding that “They (RAB) have worked for human rights.” 
 
 She continued that there are some people in the country who stay well whenever any unusual government (illegal power grabber) is in power as their importance becomes very high in that time. 
 
 She noted that when any democratic process continues in the country, they engage in the work against the process.  
 
 Mentioning that whatever good work is carried out by the government they don’t want to see it, Sheikh Hasina said they always run propaganda against Bangladesh and they have a number of complaints against RAB.
 
“Some representatives of that group of people went there (USA) and filed complaints to the justice department and other places during their meetings, but no official of the Bangladesh embassy was allowed there,” she said, adding that “The objection was raised by the people of our country and it's the reality.” 
 
 “And the sanction came in that way,” she added.    
 
 The head of government said Bangladesh is the only country where if any RAB person commits any unjust act he is brought under trial immediately.
 
“Even a son-in-law of a minister, who was an army officer was not spared; rather he was brought under the trial,” she said.  
 
“We didn’t pardon him, rather gave him punishment,” she said, mentioning that the Awami League government doesn't allow any unjust acts and doesn't see whoever he is.
 
If any member of law enforcement agencies commits unjust acts, the government takes legal action as soon as possible, she said. “So, there is no scope of raising a question”, she added.
 
Sheikh Hasina said there are also some people and groups in the country – such as intellectuals or various types of organisations and their job is to earn money by talking against Bangladesh.