2 US Congressmen arrive on four-day visit to Bangladesh
Staff Reporter :
Two members of the United States Congress have embarked on a significant four-day official visit to Bangladesh.
The visit of the US Congressmen to Bangladesh holds significance in assessing the Rohingya crisis, engaging with political parties, and addressing issues of democracy, human rights, and corruption on the international stage.
Richard McCormick, representing the Republican Party from Georgia, and Ed Case, from the Democratic Party of Hawaii, arrived in Dhaka on Saturday. Their visit includes a number of US officials accompanying them.
The primary focus of their visit is to observe the conditions of the Rohingya refugee camps and to engage in a courtesy meeting with Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen.
As the largest donor to the Rohingya cause, the United States is keen to ensure transparency and accountability in how their taxpayers’ money is utilized.
The delegation will assess the allocation of funds and the overall humanitarian situation in the Rohingya camps.
Earlier, Foreign Minister Momen noted that recent funding for the Rohingya has seen a decline, resulting in a reduction of the monthly food bill from $12 to $8.
The delegation’s recommendations following their visit could potentially lead to increased funding for the Rohingya crisis.
During their second day in Bangladesh, the US officials are scheduled to hold discussions with the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC) and relevant United Nations organizations.
On the following day, the Congressmen will conduct meetings with the RRRC and concerned UN bodies.
Upon their return to Dhaka, they are set to meet once again with Foreign Minister Momen.
In addition to their activities related to the Rohingya crisis, the visiting Congressmen plan to engage with various political parties.
Meetings are scheduled with members of the Awami League, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), and the Jatiya Party.
The US has taken a stance on promoting democracy and human rights, which aligns with the priorities of the Biden Administration.
This policy has led to measures that impact the ruling Awami League, including sanctions imposed on the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and its officials.
Moreover, Bangladesh was not invited to the democracy summits held in 2021 and 2023.
Furthermore, the US has introduced a visa policy targeting individuals who undermine the democratic election process.
Corruption, which can hinder democracy, is also being addressed through a global initiative to combat corruption, as articulated by Richard Nephew, the State Department’s Coordinator for Global Anti-Corruption, during his visit to Dhaka from August 6-8.
The US emphasised the use of sanctions as a tool in this effort.