The Absurdity of Ministerial Praise in the Face of APBn Abuses

Without Rohingya Repatration, Bangladesh will become an International Terrorist Hub says Minister Assaduzzaman Khan Kamal.

Incendiary warnings about the implications of hosting Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh are nothing new from the country's establishment. The latest statements by Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal (made today when he visited the Rohingya Camps) fit neatly into a well-worn narrative that paints a dire picture of potential terrorism if the Rohingyas are not swiftly repatriated to Myanmar. Speaking in Bangla but inserting the phrase "international terrorist hub" in English to presumably catch the attention of both local and international media, he declared, "If we cannot repatriate them (Rohingya) quickly, then this place could become an 'international terrorist hub'."

Yet, the Minister did not stop there! His praise for the Armed Police Battalion (APBn) was mind-boggling. It stands in stark contrast to reports from international organisations such as Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Fortify Rights. These groups have exposed a catalogue of abuses by the APBn in the Cox’s Bazar refugee camps, including extortion, arbitrary arrests, and torture. HRW has documented numerous cases of Rohingya refugees being harassed and extorted by the very forces meant to protect them, with demands for bribes reaching up to $1,000 for release from wrongful detention. Fortify Rights has highlighted an "institutionalised culture of corruption and abuse" within the APBn, supported by testimonies from refugees and aid workers.

But no. None of those things from the esteemed minister! Instead, in a display of mellifluous tones and lyrical praise, the Home Minister waxed poetic about the critical role of the Armed Police Battalion (APBn). He extolled their efforts, claiming they have set an example of dedication and vigilance. According to the minister, the country is moving forward and peace prevails, all thanks to the tireless work of these APBn officers!

Here's what the minister actually had to say about APBn:

"Coming to the APBn camp today, we have inquired about their situation and learned about the difficulties they are facing. We have come to understand their needs and challenges, and we have conveyed to them that Bangladesh has made history. During the times of combating terrorism, extremism, and even during COVID-19, our police force has shown exceptional dedication. When everyone else was retreating, our police force was tirelessly serving humanity and taking on the roles in countering extremism and terrorism.

Today, the APBn is continuing to play that crucial role here. They are always attentive, day and night, ready to respond to any situation. We told them that they have set an example. The progress Bangladesh is making is partly due to their efforts, as maintaining peace and order allows our country to move forward. We have advised them to remain even more vigilant, to identify where the terrorists are, and to perform their duties more effectively. We believe that our police force is very capable and dedicated, and because they are fulfilling their entrusted responsibilities properly, we are in a good place today. Thank you."

On May 29th alone, 48 hours before his visit, there were two murders and several injuries in Camp 17, attributed to violence by the Rohingya Solidarity Organization (RSO). Throughout May, abductions and attempted abductions for forced recruitment have plagued the camps, with refugees directly accusing the APBn of complicity. Yet, the Home Minister’s narrative audaciously positions the APBn as a force for peace and stability? What is going on?

Knowing what the minister surely knows about APBn, why is he saying all this? I have already discussed Bangladesh’s approach to refugees in this opinion piece here.

Bangladesh’s reliance on external support to combat terrorism and money laundering is well-documented. The country has received substantial counter-terrorism aid and guidance from international bodies like the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and individual states. This external support incentivises the kind of narrative that the minister felt necessary to rehash: that Bangladesh is on the frontline of the fight against terrorism, necessitating continuous international cooperation and funding.

All this reveals the real face of Bangladesh’s approach to the Rohingya crisis. By praising APBn to the high heavens, it simultaneously turns a blind eye to the abuses committed by its security forces. This duplicity not only undermines the trust of the Rohingya refugees but also raises serious questions about the true motives behind the government’s alarmist rhetoric.

And one final thing. Despite his eulogy of the police, the good minister conspicuously omitted any mention of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) – the infamous paramilitary unit of the Bangladesh Police. This is no mere oversight. The US Treasury Department has slapped sanctions on this elite force, along with seven of its current and former officers, for egregious human rights violations. The RAB's notorious reputation for extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances has drawn fierce condemnation from human rights groups worldwide. By sidestepping any reference to the RAB, the minister is attempting to whitewash the brutal reality of Bangladesh’s police force.

Below is the full interview. I have transcribed the part about the APBn in Bengali (excuse typos), as it sounds particularly absurd in Bengali.

Video is used in this article under the guidelines of 'fair use.' This doctrine permits the limited use of copyrighted material without acquiring permission from the rights holders, serving purposes such as commentary, criticism, news reporting, research, teaching, or scholarship.

এপিবিএন ক্যাম্পে এসে আমরা তাদের খোঁজ খবর নিয়েছি।

তারা কি অসুবিধা ফেইজ করছে।তাদের সুবিধা অসুবিধা গুলো জেনে আমরা এটাই বলেছি বাংলাদেশ একটা ইতিহাস সৃষ্টি করেছে।

জঙ্গি দমন সন্ত্রাস দমন এবং কোভিড এর সময় আমাদের পুলিশ বাহিনী।

যখন সবাই যার যার অবস্হানে চলে গিয়েছিল।আমাদের পুলিশ বাহিনী কোভিড এর সময় আর্থ মানবতার সেবার কথা বলুন জঙ্গি দমনে বলুন সন্ত্রাস দমনে বলুন তারা যে ভূমিকা রাখছে।

আজকে এপিবিএন এ জায়গাতেও সেই ভুমিকা রাখছে।তাদের দিন নাই রাত নাই সব সময় তারা এটেনশন থাকে।

কখন কি ঘটছে। আমরা তাদের বলছি তোমরা উদাহারণ ভাবে সৃষ্টি করেছ।বাংলাদেশ যে এগিয়ে যাচ্ছে তার একটি কাজ ও তোমাদের দ্বারাই হচ্ছে। কারণ তোমরাই শান্তিপূর্ণ অবস্হায় রাখছ বলেই আমাদের দেশ এগিয়ে যাচ্ছে।এদেরকে আরোও সজাগ হওয়ার জন্য।সন্ত্রাসীরা কোথায় আছে সেগুলো দেখার জন্য।আর তারা যেন আরোও সুন্দর ভাবে কাজ করে।তারেই কিছু পরার্মশ আমরা দিয়েছি।আমরা মনে করি আমাদের পুলিশ ফোর্স অত্যান্ত চৌকস অত্যান্ত তারা নিবেদিত তাদের অর্পিত দায়িত্বটা সঠিকভাবে পালন করছে বলেই আমরা আজকেই ভাল আছি। ধন্যবাদ