DHAKA, Dec 12, 2021 (BSS) - Terming sanctions on the RAB officials as unacceptable, Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today said however, it will have no impact on Bangladesh-US relationships.
 
“We have excellent ties with the United States. The USA has been helping us in development issues in various ways as the country (USA) is our development partner. Our security forces and law enforcers have been benefited for the technical association of the two countries in preventing militancy and terrorism as worldwide networks are needed to combat the terrorists and militants. But the sanctions on RAB officials imposed by the Department of Treasury of the USA is regrettable, unexpected, unacceptable and ineffective,” he told reporters.
 
The minister made the comments after unveiling the cover of the book ‘Ma o Shishu’, a special publication of the Press Information Department (PID) at its auditorium at the Secretariat here.
 
Information and Broadcasting Secretary Md Mokbul Hossain addressed the function as special guest with PID Principal Information Officer Shahenur Mia in the chair.
 
Hasan said the US ambassador was summoned and a strong protest was made on behalf of the government (Bangladesh). “I don’t know whether such incident of summoning the US ambassador took place previously in Bangladesh. It’s also a matter that whether imposing this embargo without prior contact was made as per diplomatic norms. We hope that our friendly country (USA) will be able to realize our sentiment,” he added.
 
The minister said the US has imposed such sanctions on different officials of different countries. But they didn’t impose any restrictions on any official of Israel which violates the human rights extremely and “We didn’t see them to impose embargo on the countries with which they have business and economic ties,” he added.
 
“We didn’t see any sanctions imposed by the USA on those countries, which have business and economic ties,” he added.
 
Replying to another query, he said the human rights have been violated extremely in the USA. They killed a man in broad daylight through extreme torture, which never happened in Bangladesh, said Hasan, also Awami League joint general secretary.
 
He said the US security forces and law enforcers are immensely violating human rights and huge criticisms have been seen across the globe as  death incidents took place in police custody in the United States, he added.
 
The minister said they (USA) separated the children from their parents for years while the immigrants tried to cross the border during the Trump administration. “I don’t know whether it has happened in other countries or not. The incidents were protested across the globe and even in the United States,” he added.
 
The minister said, “We think that it is an isolated incident. It will have no impact between our ties. We think that some NGOs and individuals are hatching conspiracies against the country at different places continuously. And they are providing fabricated and false information not only to the USA, but also in the country (Bangladesh). In this context, the incident (sanctions) has happened.”
 
In the function, Hasan extended thanks to the PID for the publication.
 
He said Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina always gives importance to the development of mental and physical health of children and mothers.
 
Mokbul praised the role of PID and also the publication.
 
Later, Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Murad Hasan joined the ‘Meet the Press’ at Bangladesh Film Archive in city’s Agargaon over the film ‘Chiranjeeb Mujib’, the movie based on “Osomapto Atmajibani” of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Information and Broadcasting Secretary Md Mokbul Hossain addressed the programme as special guest with film director and dialogue writer Nazrul Islam in the chair.
 
Additional secretary of the ministry Md Faruque Ahmed, creative director Jewel Mahmud and producer Litan Haider, among others, were present at the function.
 
Hasan extended his gratitude to the prime minister for giving time in making the film.
 
He said the book of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman ‘Osomapto Atmajibani’ was translated into different languages and crores of people of the world read the book. “But, no film was produced on this book. I would like to extend my gratitude to Bangabandhu’s daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for the movie,” he added.
 
The minister extended thanks to the director and producer of the film.
 
Hasan said the people of other countries could know about the life, works and struggle of Bangabandhu if the film is dubbed in other languages.
 
Ahmed Rubel has played the role of Bangabandhu in the film while Purnima played the role of Begum Fazilatunnesa. Kahirul Alam Sabuj and Dilara Zaman played the role of Bangabandhu’s father and mother respectively.
 
Nazrul said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the film by signing three posters on June 23 last. They have a plan to release the movie at country’s cinema halls on December 31, he added.