GOVERNMENT OF BANGLADESH BANS HIZB UT-TAHRIR OVER

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 DHAKA 001007

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR SCA/INSB AND S/CT

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/27/2029
TAGS: PGOV PINS PTER PINR KTFN KISL BG
SUBJECT: GOVERNMENT OF BANGLADESH BANS HIZB UT-TAHRIR OVER
SECURITY CONCERNS

REF: A. DHAKA 997

B. DHAKA 361

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Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty. Reasons: 1.4 (b) and (d)

Summary
--------------

1. (C) On October 22, the Government of Bangladesh banned
the Islamist group Hizb ut-Tahrir Bangladesh (HTB) after
determining the organization's activities were a threat to
public safety. GOB officials stated their intent to use
Bangladesh's new Prevention of Terrorism Act 2009, drafted
with Mission Dhaka and U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)
assistance, to prosecute members of the organization and
possibly investigate HTB finances. The GOB initially froze
bank assets, but expanded the asset freezing to non-bank HTB
assets and establishments. Following the GOB ban, HTB
propaganda warned against "American imperialism," called for
people to oppose the proposed Trade and Investment Framework
Agreement (TIFA),and vowed that HTB would continue
operating. End Summary.

GOB Bans Hizb ut-Tahrir
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2. (SBU) Home Minister Sahara Khatun announced on October 22
the GOB's decision to ban the Islamist group Hizb ut-Tahrir
Bangladesh. The decision was announced a day after the bomb
attack on ruling party Member of Parliament Barrister Fazle
Noor Taposh (ref A). The announcement claimed that HTB had
conducted "anti-state, anti-government, anti-people, and
anti-democratic activities" in Bangladesh. In an October 24
press release, the Home Ministry announced the GOB would
freeze the organization's bank assets. Inspector General of
Police Nur Mohammad said that it would be "easier to take
legal action" against HTB now that it was banned. He noted
that Section 18 of Bangladesh's Prevention of Terrorism Act
2009 makes membership of a banned organization an offense
punishable with a six-month imprisonment and fine.

Assets Frozen
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3. (C) Bangladesh Bank contacts told the Resident Legal
Advisor (RLA) they found out about the asset freezing through
the press release rather than official channels. Bank
officials acted immediately and froze all HTB bank assets.
Sources informed the RLA that Sonali Bank's Dhaka University
Branch maintains the organization's accounts. (Note:
Mahiuddin Ahmed, HTB's chief coordinator and official
spokesperson, was suspended from his teaching position at
Dhaka University. University officials have warned that
Ahmed faced possible termination. End note.) A senior bank
official interrupted the meeting to say the GOB had
authorized freezing of non-bank assets and establishments.
He emphasized that Bangladesh Bank was in direct contact with
the Home Ministry, which was the lead government agency
involved. Bank sources said that under the new Prevention of
Terrorism Act, drafted with Mission Dhaka and DOJ assistance,
the assets could be frozen for up to 60 days. After 60 days,
the Bank would need a court order to continue to freeze the
assets. The Home Ministry needs to submit a formal referral
before the Bank can initiate a formal investigation into the
frozen assets.

HTB Anti-U.S. Rhetoric
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4. (SBU) HTB's objective is to establish an Islamic
caliphate and the group has consistently opposed USG foreign
policies. HTB led protests in November 2007 against U.S.
efforts to provide relief to those affected by Cyclone Sidr.
HTB reiterated its call for Bangladeshis to oppose "American
imperialism" in a statement released to the media subsequent
to the GOB ban. HTB claimed that it would continue to
operate and asserted that HTB was banned in the United States
"because it (U.S.) has understood that Hizb ut-Tahrir has the
ability to analyze it (U.S.) and has the power to convince
the people in Bangladesh." HTB also claimed the United

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States Government viewed HTB as an obstacle as the U.S.
sought "total influence in Bangladesh." (Note: Hizb
ut-Tahrir is not/not listed on the terrorist exclusion list.
End note.) HTB also called for Bangladeshis to voice their
opposition to a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement
(TIFA) with the United States.

Comment
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5. (C) The GOB ban is good news for Bangladesh and the U.S.,
documenting a concrete action step by the GOB against an
identified security threat that has a long anti-U.S.
pedigree. Post will continue to engage GOB interlocutors on
media speculation that additional organizations might also be
banned. Washington agencies may wish to evaluate whether
further action, either unilateral or multilateral, against
HTB would be appropriate.
MORIARTY