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

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SENSITIVE
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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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(such as Huda) were exaggerated. At the same time, the
Secretary acknowledged that the GOB needed to be more

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forthcoming regarding the condition of detainees. The
Secretary also promised to look into allegations that

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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