CDA MEETS WITH HOME SECRETARY TO DISCUSS SECURITY,

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 DHAKA 001295 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/07/2017 TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL BG SUBJECT: CDA MEETS WITH HOME SECRETARY TO DISCUSS SECURITY, HUMAN RIGHTS Classified By: Charge d'Affaires a.i. Geeta Pasi, reason 1.4(d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: In an August 8 meeting, Bangladeshi Home Secretary Abdul Karim assured CDA that Bangladesh would SIPDIS enhance security in light of recent threats by Al-Qaeda against U.S. diplomatic missions. In response to CDA's expressions of concern for those detained under the State of Emergency, including former UN Rapporteur Sigma Huda, Karim also explained steps his Ministry had taken to ensure that security forces respected human rights of those detained as part of the caretaker government,s anti-corruption drive. Karim predicted that the August 15 death anniversary of Bangladesh,s first prime minister would not see widespread disturbances. The Home Secretary also clarified Bangladesh's policy on granting airport visas to visiting USG personnel. Finally, Karim also noted a warming of Bangladesh,s bilateral relationship with India. END SUMMARY. EMBASSY AND COUNTRY-WIDE SECURITY ================================= ¶2. (C) On August 8, CDA called on Bangladeshi Home Secretary Abdul Karim to share our concerns regarding embassy security and to again underscore the importance of respect for human rights during the current state of emergency. In particular, CDA reviewed the recent threats by an Al Qaeda spokesperson against U.S. diplomatic missions worldwide. The Home Secretary was aware of these threats, and assured CDA that SIPDIS his government would enhance security in the diplomatic enclave in light of these threats. At CDA's request, the Secretary also promised to review security for "soft SIPDIS targets," such as the American International School and American Club. The Secretary expressed confidence in the security forces, ability to monitor and disrupt militant groups in the country. ¶3. (C) Looking ahead to the upcoming August 15 anniversary of Bangladeshi founding father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman,s death and the August 17 anniversary of the country-wide terrorist bombing campaign of 2005, the Home Secretary was confident of the steps that the GOB had taken to prevent widespread disturbances. He said that the Awami League would be allowed to hold small ceremonies (wreath layings and prayers) to mark the August 15 anniversary. The Secretary said that the GOB would consider allowing detained Awami League Leader Sheikh Hasina to meet with her husband, if the latter could be eligible to receive parole to visit her in prison. The Secretary also said that the GOB was confident that it had SIPDIS the radical JMB militant group under control, and that he did not foresee any problems on August 17. HUMAN RIGHTS CONCERNS ===================== ¶4. (C) The Home Secretary also assured CDA that the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and other security and intelligence forces had received strict instructions to use appropriate force in countering suspected militants. Speaking bluntly, the Secretary said that he had told the RAB, in particular, that their job was to "arrest, not kill" suspects. The Secretary said that RAB members' restraint was at times SIPDIS tested by the dangerous situations they faced, and he recounted several cases in which RAB officials had been killed or wounded in the line of duty. The Secretary also updated CDA on GOB efforts to crack down on criminal gangs that had grown more daring since the January declaration of the state of emergency. ¶5. (C) Referring to their previous conversations, CDA told Secretary Karim that it was imperative for Bangladesh to take SIPDIS seriously concerns expressed by the international community and non-governmental organizations regarding the status of human rights under the caretaker government. She shared a copy of a recent letter from Human Rights Watch to Bangladesh's Chief Advisor, which contained serious allegations of human rights abuses that have taken place under the State of Emergency. The Secretary acknowledged the need to ensure due process and proper treatment of detainees, and outlined steps that had been taken to ensure, for example, that those arrested received proper medical treatment. He noted that one high profile detainee, Sigma Huda, whose case has received considerable attention outside Bangladesh, was under constant medical supervision. He said that some of the reports of declining health of detainees DHAKA 00001295 002 OF 002 (such as Huda) were exaggerated. At the same time, the Secretary acknowledged that the GOB needed to be more SIPDIS forthcoming regarding the condition of detainees. The Secretary also promised to look into allegations that SIPDIS journalist Shoaib Choudhury,s movements were being restricted following his recent return from the United States. (NOTE: We have learned from other sources that Choudhury's claims to be briefly under "house arrest" appear to be exaggerated.) VISA POLICY =========== ¶6. (C) In response to questions from CDA, the Secretary clarified that Bangladesh's new visa policy did not allow for routine issuance of airport visas to individuals arriving from the United States, including those on official duty. While exceptions could be made in extraordinary circumstances, the normal procedure was for travelers to obtain visas prior to arrival. At the same time, Bangladesh was trying to simplify arrival formalities for all nationalities. The Secretary offered to have his staff work with Embassy counterparts to develop standard operating procedures. BANGLADESH-INDIA RELATIONS ========================== ¶7. (C) The Secretary told CDA that his recent visit to India had gone extremely well, and that the consultations with his GOI counterparts had been very productive. The discussions were also free of the rancor that had characterized past meetings. He said that he had reassured his Indian counterpart that the caretaker government valued cross-border relations and that it would take steps to ensure that Bangladesh would not be a source of problems for its neighbor. USG TRAINING ============ ¶8. (C) Thanking CDA for the training being provided by the USG to security force officials, the Secretary expressed interest in receiving training for senior level officials from his ministry and others in the government. CDA promised to investigate the possibilities available under our existing programs. (NOTE: We are following up with Department of Justice officials at post). COMMENT ======= ¶9. (C) Home Secretary Karim was relaxed in his meeting with CDA, and took careful notes during their discussion. He said all the right things in response to our requests related to security and human rights. Clearly, these messages were ones well known to him, and there was little doubt that he had expected us to raise them. Still, the tone of the meeting was friendly, and even on sensitive issues such as allegations of mistreatment of detainees, the Home Secretary did not exhibit any displeasure. We are confident that he will pass along our message to others in the GOB. PASI