UK didn't train Rab to kill people

Says PM; Amnesty asks Rab to stop 'extra-judicial killing'

Star Report

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday dismissed media reports based on WikiLeaks disclosure of diplomatic cables that British forces trained Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) for extra-judicial killings, UNB reports.
“Do you believe that the UK has trained this force to kill our own people? Certainly not. Rab has been trained to protect citizens,” she said responding to a query from a student in the UK.
She was taking questions after delivering a statement on Global Peace at the Main Chamber Hall of the Oxford Union at Frewin Court yesterday.
Meanwhile, Amnesty International in a press release yesterday said Rab must stop extrajudicial killings.
The press release also called on the British government to raise concerns before Sheikh Hasina about reports of torture, extrajudicial executions, and excessive use of force by Rab.
More than 600 people are thought to have been killed by Rab personnel since 2004 when the battalion was created, it said, adding, WikiLeaks sources have recently alleged that the UK police have been training Rab.
Abbas Faiz, Amnesty International's Bangladesh researcher, said, “Suggestions that these deaths in custody are just unrelated random incidents, as opposed to targeted executions, are simply not credible. The chance of this same fate befalling so many apprehended individuals defies belief and contradicts eye-witness testimony. These deaths amount to extrajudicial executions.”
Hasina, however, said whenever allegations of extra-judicial killings were raised, the government investigated those and took action. “We believe in human rights.”
Asked if Islam will remain in the constitution as state religion, she said secularism does not mean absence of religion.
Hasina said a parliamentary committee is working to amend the constitution in light of a High Court verdict.
On confrontational politics, the premier said her government has ensured all facilities to opposition leader Khaleda Zia and her party since assuming office in 2009.
Unfortunately, Hasina said, BNP is not joining parliament. “I hope the opposition will return to the House.”
Replying to a query on government's relation with Pakistan, she said, “At present, we are enjoying good relations with Pakistan.”
Hasina also said India contributed significantly during Bangladesh's Liberation War in 1971.
“True that we have some problems with India such as sharing waters of the common rivers but we're working together to find solutions,” she said.