HOME SECRETARY ON SHEIKH HASINA, KHALEDA ZIA, AND

C O N F I D E N T I A L DHAKA 000656

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E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/19/2017
TAGS: PHUM KDEM PREL KCRM PGOV BG
SUBJECT: HOME SECRETARY ON SHEIKH HASINA, KHALEDA ZIA, AND
HUMAN AND LABOR RIGHTS

REF: DHAKA 0546

Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Geeta Pasi; Reason 1.4(d)


1. (C) On the heels of a brief April 18 introductory call by
the New Delhi based Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Legal Attache, the Home Secretary touched on Sheikh Hasina,s
imminent return, rumors about Khaleda Zia,s imminent
departure and continuing allegations of death and abuse
attributed to the military and civil authorities.


2. (U) The Deputy Chief of Mission accompanied Kathy
Stearman, New Delhi based Federal Bureau of Investigation
(FBI) Legal Attache, on the latter,s introductory call on
Home Secretary Abdul Karim. Assistant Legal Attache, Steve
Merrill, poloff (notetaker) and Ministry of Home Affairs
(MHA) Additional Secretary Mohammad Mohsin and Joint
Secretary Mojibur Rahman were also present. The call was

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abbreviated due to the extremely tardy arrival of the Home
Secretary. After a brief introduction by the Legatt on the

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FBI,s regional responsibilities, she noted the FBI has a
procedure in place to allow for assistance in certain cases.
The Home Secretary said he would let us know through the
police channels if FBI assistance is sought.


3. (C) Mr. Karim said that the United National Development
Program Police Reform Project and the GOB are working to
improve the quality of the Bangladesh police. He said they
need to improve their investigative capacity citing the "zero
tolerance against corruption." He added that the GOB intended
to recover funds taken through corrupt practices and
foreshadowed a future request for U.S. assistance.


4. (C) Sheikh Hasina: The DCM asked about Sheikh Hasina's
return to Bangladesh, noting that while government officials
were quoted in the press saying she was free to return, there
were many rumors suggesting that she might not return.
Karim said Hasina will be London tomorrow and will "come here
on the 23rd." In response to Awami League concerns, he noted
that she would be provided adequate security upon return.
NOTE: On the heels of meeting, we learned that the Home
Ministry had announced measures to prevent the return of
Sheikh Hasina to Bangladesh. During our visit, Karim did not
disclose this impending announcement nor ask for U.S.
assistance to keep Hasina out of Bangladesh.


5. (C) Khaleda Zia: The Home Secretary said that Khaleda Zia
"will go to Saudi Arabia, first to perform Umrah, and then
remain there." (NOTE: Umrah is a religious rite.) With
regard to her youngest son, Coco, Karim said "hopefully, he
will go soon, too." He opined that Tarique Rahman "could
leave, but it's the court's decision."


6. (C) Allegations of abuse and death in custody: The Home
Secretary said the Government of Bangladesh was investigating

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allegations of abuse in custody -- whether by the military or
the police. We noted that these incidents, if not dealt with
transparently, will damage the reputation of the military and
civilian authorities and undermine support for the caretaker
government.


7. (C) Labor issues: We mentioned that US-funded labor
advocacy groups had been visited by representatives of the
Rapid Action Battalion and the police. Noting that the NGO
division normally addresses NGO concerns -- not law
enforcement authorities -- the Home Secretary promised to
investigate.


8. (C) JMB: The Home Secretary touched on the assassination
of a prosecutor involved in the trials that led to the recent
execution of six JMB activists (reftel A). Initial reports
suggest the prosecutors death was not a case of JMB
retaliation but rather the end of a family feud.


9. (C) Trafficking: We also touched on trafficking issues
with Additional Secretary Mohsin prior to the delayed arrival
of the Home Secretary. We urged the MHA to prosecute
unlicensed recruiting middlemen and recruiters who charge
fees above the set rate and collect statistics on these
prosecutions.
BUTENIS