Washington has raised concerns with regards to enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings during the second Bangladesh-United States Partnership
Dialogue that ended in the capital on Monday.
The US side also brought up the issues relating to murder of trade unionist Aminul Islam and cases against Babul Akhter and Kalpona Akter. “They (the US side) have talked about extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances as well as issues relating to the murder of Aminul Islam and cases against Babul Akhter and Kalpona Akter,” a senior government official told The Independent on Wednesday
“The US side has put it fairly frankly. They have said that Bangladesh will have to get rid of these problems for its own good,” he said.
He described the dialogue as good and said, “The dialogue was better than we expected.” Replying to a question, the official said, “The US side is concerned over these issues as there are concerns in their country.”
During the dialogue, the US delegation spent more time on the issues relating to labour rights and safety at workplaces with particular reference to the collapse of Rana Plaza,” he said.
Washington was of the view that if the labour related issues are solved Bangladesh’s credibility as an investment-friendly country will improve and Bangladesh will attract investment from across the world, he added.
The official further said that the US side had laid emphasis on holding accountable of those responsible for accidents at the factories with particular references to Rana Plaza and Tazreen Fashions.
US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy R Sherman, who led the US side to the dialogue, has called upon the investors not to leave Bangladesh in the wake of accidents at the factories, said the official.
Washington has expressed its readiness to help Bangladesh overcome the problems in the readymade garment sector, he added.
-With The Independent input
