Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina spoke to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) during her visit to the UK on various issues including criticisms regarding human rights situation in Bangladesh, extrajudicial killings, US sanctions, democracy and the Rohingya issue.

The premier, in her interview with BBC, said Bangladesh's Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) was formed according to the US advice. Therefore, RAB is acting the way they have been trained.

Yalda Hakim, the chief presenter at BBC News broadcasting was the interviewer.

Asked why the US imposed sanctions on one of the paramilitary organisations in Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina said "I don't know. Perhaps the USA did not want my work [running the state] to continue or was unwilling to acknowledge the developments I have ensured for Bangladesh."

She said that the special force, which had been established in 2004 following USA's advice, had received training and equipment from the North American country. 

"So why did they impose a ban? This is a big question for me too."

"This is what I feel. At one stage, terrorism was the biggest global issue. We have controlled terrorism in our country. Our law enforcement agencies worked hard to control terrorism," PM Sheikh Hasina added.

BDST: 1538 HRS, MAY 16, 2023
MSK/SMS