Diplomatic Correspondent :
The Foreign Ministry, represented by Spokesperson Seheli Sabrin, recently rebuffed the 2023 Human Rights Report released by the US State Department, dismissing it as filled with isolated and unfounded allegations.
Sabrin lamented, “Regrettably, many of the improvements and achievements of the government have not been acknowledged in the report.
On the other hand, isolated and unfounded allegations continue to be flagged as part of a systematic trend.”
Furthermore, Sabrin criticised the report for neglecting to recognise the value of certain state institutions, like the independent judiciary and specific statutory bodies.
She remarked, “It is evident that the report is replete with references to individual reported or alleged incidents that were used to draw broad, generalised inferences.”
Highlighting the report’s reliance on unverified assumptions and allegations from various sources, including local and international non-government organisations, Sabrin pointed out, “It is also apparent that the report mostly relies on assumptions and unsubstantiated allegations drawn from local and international non-government organisations (including anonymous sources), many of which are supported by the US government or related entities.
As such, some of the inherent and evident biases in the reporting pattern are quite evident.”
Despite acknowledging imperfections in the global human rights landscape, Sabrin asserted the Bangladeshi government’s commitment to upholding citizens’ rights. She stated, “Under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the human rights situation has significantly improved in Bangladesh.”
Expressing appreciation for the US administration’s ongoing interest in global human rights issues, Sabrin emphasised the Bangladeshi government’s continued efforts to enhance human rights. She noted, “The current government, during its consecutive terms in office since 2009, continued to invest in realising meaningful advancement in the human rights situation.”
Sabrin further remarked, “Any discerning observer would notice that such efforts resulted in significant improvement in women’s empowerment, gender parity, children’s rights, the rights of elderly persons, workers’ rights, grievance redressal, access to justice, religious freedom, freedom of speech, freedom of association, freedom of assembly, and so on and so forth.”
Sabrin further addressed specific concerns raised in the report, particularly regarding labour rights issues, highlighting discussions with US officials on bilateral or plurilateral platforms. She remarked, “As usual, the Report wrongfully characterises lawful actions taken by the law enforcement authorities in cases of unwarranted obstructions or vandalism carried out in the name of workers against factories, establishments, public properties, or management staff.”
Criticising the report’s tendency to portray incidents by private entities as systemic human rights abuses without elaborating on subsequent administrative and judicial measures, Sabrin noted, “The Report continues to maintain the trend of projecting incidents committed by private individuals or entities as part of systemic abuse of human rights, without often elaborating on the subsequent administrative and judicial measures taken to ensure redress and accountability.”
Addressing recurrent complaints despite dialogues with US authorities on human and labour rights issues, Sabrin expressed disappointment. She stated, “It is unfortunate that despite having a series of dialogues with the US authorities on human rights and labour rights issues, a number of recurrent complaints or allegations have been flagged in the report, discounting the state/government perspective on those matters.”
Sabrin also criticised the report’s terminology regarding the Rohingya people and certain ethnic minority groups, arguing that it undermines their legitimate claims. She remarked, “The Rohingya people continue to be termed’refugees’’ or’stateless persons’, thus undermining their legitimate claims to be recognised as citizens or residents of Myanmar.
In another instance, certain ethnic minority groups continue to be labelled as ‘Indigenous Peoples’ contrary to the constitutional provisions of the country, which often amounts to attempts to incite unwarranted tension and divisions.”
Sabrin also clarified the status of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, stating, “The former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia is a convicted person with a suspended sentence under the executive authority and is definitely not under any form of ‘house arrest’.”
Lambasting the report, she said, “One of the gross missing elements in the report is about the systematic campaign launched last year by the anti-state and anti-government elements during the lead up to the 12th National Elections in order to create unrest, violence, and anarchy under different pretexts and using diverse interest groups.”
The Foreign Ministry said it was not law enforcement that used excessive force, but rather BNP, which was responsible for violence and vandalism in political rallies.
“It is ironic that when the state was engaged in protecting public life, order, and property against such an orchestrated campaign, it was held responsible in the report for even taking recourse to some lawful actions and remedies,” she said.
During the press briefing, she, however, did not take any questions from the journalists, despite repeated requests.
