By echoing the talking points of this partisan group, Good appears to be taking sides in an internal political dispute within Bangladesh
Criticism is mounting on social media regarding the recent letter penned by Congressman Bob Good, along with 13 of his colleagues, addressed to the US Ambassador to the UN. The contents of the letter have been labeled as ‘biased’ by many. Eminent rights activists and critics have highlighted that the demands put forth in the statement lack rationality, much like a previous one that was exposed earlier.
One of the major points of contention is the first demand, which calls for the suspension of Bangladesh from the UN Human Rights Council. Critics argue that this demand completely disregards the overwhelming support Bangladesh received during the last election held in October 2022. Bangladesh managed to secure 160 out of 189 votes, earning its membership in the UNHRC for the term 2023-2025. This significant majority of votes clearly reflects the international community’s endorsement of Bangladesh’s position in the Council.
Criticism to the letter
Critics have pointed out that the reference made to a foreign organization, FIDH, in the letter is misleading. They emphasize that Odhikar, which happens to be a member organization of FIDH, has a history of fabricating rights issues, a fact that has been well-established.
Reacting to the letter, Barrister Shah Ali Farhad, Senior Analyst at the Center for Research and Information, tweeted to Congressman Bob Good, expressing his expectation that the Congressman would have learned from the reactions received for his previous letter on Bangladesh. He suggested that Good is being politically manipulated by a vested group that heavily lobbies the US. By echoing the talking points of this partisan group, Good appears to be taking sides in an internal political dispute within Bangladesh, thereby strengthening the position of certain parties, such as the Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated Jamaat-E-Islami and other Islamists.
In the letter, Congressman Good and his colleagues called for the immediate suspension of Bangladesh’s membership in the United Nations Human Rights Council. Additionally, they demanded that the UN Department of Peace Operations temporarily bar any members of Bangladesh’s Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) from participating in UN peacekeeping missions until comprehensive and transparent investigations into their human rights abuses have been concluded.
Congressman Good defended his actions, stating that he sent the letter expressing concern over the Bangladeshi government’s violence against peaceful demonstrators in their pursuit of free and fair elections.
14 US Congress members’ letter to US President and UN
US Congressman Bob Good, along with 13 of his colleagues, has once again taken action on the matter of Bangladesh, urging for measures to be taken against the government in light of the upcoming general election. In this instance, the Congressman directed the letter to Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US ambassador to the UN, expressing their apprehension regarding the violence perpetrated by the Bangladeshi government against peaceful demonstrators.
On Thursday, Congressman Good took to Twitter to affirm his stance on the issue, emphasizing that the people of Bangladesh deserve free and fair elections. He disclosed that he and his 13 colleagues had collectively penned a letter to the US ambassador to the UN, voicing their concern over the government’s actions towards peaceful protestors.
Contents of the Letter
Bob Good addressed a letter to US President Joe Biden, urging for a ban on Bangladesh’s peacekeeping missions in light of the upcoming general election. In this latest letter, which has yet to be verified, he specifically called for the “UN Department of Peace Operations to temporarily prevent any member of RAB from participating in UN peacekeeping operations until comprehensive and transparent investigations into their human rights abuses have been completed,” in reference to the US sanctions on RAB.
Through the US ambassador, Congressman Good also sought UN action to immediately suspend Bangladesh’s membership on the United Nations Human Rights Council. He emphasized that such suspension should be in place pending an impartial and transparent investigation into the alleged acts of violence committed by the Bangladeshi government against journalists and political opponents.
Furthermore, Congressman Good demanded that the UN, in cooperation with impartial governments from around the world, play a supervisory role in conducting free and fair elections in Bangladesh.
Signee of the letter
Bob Good was joined by several other signatories in the letter, including Scott Perry, Anna Paulina-Luna, Josh Brecheen, Ralph Norman, Andrew Clyde, Eli Crane, Cory Mills, Paul A Gosar, Doug LaMalfa, Ronny R Jackson, Randy Weber, Brian Babin, and Glenn Grothman.
It’s worth noting that Scott Perry had also signed the previous letter written by Bob Good. The other signatories on the previous letter were Barry Moore, Warren Davidson, Tim Burchett, and Keith Self.
Who circulated the letter?
Despite Bob Good not posting the letter himself, it has been circulating on social media, with opposition BNP supporters sharing it on their Facebook profiles. The letter, dated May 25, has gained traction on various platforms after being mentioned by BNP leader Rumeen Farhana. However, it was officially released by Good on his website on June 2, accompanied by a press release addressing the matter.
Bangladesh’s stance
Dhaka earlier said it was not bothered by such letters
At that time, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam responded strongly to the circulating letter and the actions of those involved. He referred to the signatories of the letter as the “enemy” of Bangladesh and expressed pride in the contributions of the armed forces, police, and other personnel who participate in global peacekeeping missions. He highlighted the international acclaim these individuals have received and the sacrifices they have made, with 169 of them having laid down their lives in service.
Minister Alam asserted that anyone attempting to tarnish the achievements of these peacekeepers is not a friend of Bangladesh, regardless of their positions as congressmen, senators, presidents, or prime ministers of foreign countries. He categorized such individuals as enemies of Bangladesh.
Furthermore, the state minister called for identifying those who instigated the writing of such letters and deemed them also as enemies of Bangladesh. He anticipated similar letters may surface before the election, but he emphasized that such efforts would not deter Bangladesh’s commitment to holding a free and fair election.
In summary, Minister Alam vehemently defended Bangladesh’s peacekeeping efforts and condemned any attempts to undermine them, labeling those involved in writing such letters as enemies of the nation. He remained resolute in the government’s determination to ensure a transparent and unbiased electoral process.
