Some US Congressmen have called for sanctions on Bangladeshi authorities under Sheikh Hasina, who recently fled as prime minister, even as the US government formally welcomed the appointment of a new caretaker government there.
An interim government led by Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus was sworn in on Thursday as it aims to hold elections in the Asian nation.
Bangladesh Protests and violence erupted last month after students protested against reservations for certain groups in government jobs. The protests morphed into a campaign to oust Hasina, who won a fourth consecutive term in January’s election that the opposition boycotted and which the US State Department said was not free and fair.
Hasina’s resignation comes at a time when a crackdown on protests has left at least 300 people, most of them students, dead.
“The Bangladeshi leaders who plotted this brutal repression must be held accountable, which is why we are calling on the administration to impose sanctions on General Secretary Qadir and Home Minister Khan, as we continue to work to support a peaceful and democratic order,” he said. BangladeshUS Senator Van Hollen, a Democratic member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said.
The MP mentioned Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, who was Hasina’s home minister, and Obaidul Quader, who was the general secretary of Hasina’s Awami League party.
A letter was sent by Hollen and five other congressional Democrats to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen urging sanctions against those officials. The State Department said it had not previewed sanctions-related actions.
“I welcome the swearing-in of Dr. Muhammad Yunus to lead the interim government in Bangladesh. The United States supports his call for peace and stability,” Blinken said separately on social media.
Human rights groups had accused Hasina of using excessive force against protesters, a charge she denied.
Since his departure, student protests have become more widespread and demands are being raised for the removal of more officials appointed during his tenure.
After leaving Bangladesh, Hasina moved to New Delhi, ending her 15 years of uninterrupted rule in the country of 17 crore people.
Hasina’s defeat sparked both celebration and violence. Her official residence was attacked, statues of her father were toppled and there were reports of attacks on minorities.