Transparency International writes to US govt to help quickly identify, seize ‘misappropriated’ Bangladeshi assets
Calling upon the United States government to aid in identifying and moving to seize assets belonging to Bangladesh but parked in the Western country, the Transparency International issued a letter today (10 September) to US State Secretary Antony Blinken and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.
In the letter, the TIB stressed Bangladesh-US relations, saying, “The US relies on Bangladesh to assist with regional security efforts and efforts to counter terrorism.
“As such, in recent years, the US has strongly supported efforts to move Bangladesh toward a more open and democratic society, engaging a variety of tools from trade incentives to sanctions of corrupt public officials.”
In this regard, the letter signed by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Executive Director Iftekhar Zaman and Transparency International Executive Director Gary Kalman, said there was serious evidence regarding the misappropriation of state assets by former Bangladeshi officials and their allies being unearthed.
“These assets ultimately belong to the people of Bangladesh, which is why we write to urge the US government to identify and seize any such asset in the US… The process to recover those assets should begin quickly so that the funds can help Bangladesh build a more transparent, accountable, democratic and inclusive future. Corruption allegations involving former ministers, bankers, senior public officials, the armed forces, and police are overwhelming.”
Highlighting the US’ significance as the largest foreign investor and export destination country, the TIB said Bangladesh was experiencing a pivotal moment in its history.
“Peaceful student protests against certain discriminatory policies have grown into people’s uprising against increasing levels of inequality and corruption attributed to the previous government of Bangladesh. The ensuing brutal crackdown by the law enforcement agencies has left over 1000 dead.”
To help in bringing those accountable to the book, the TIB also chalked out three ways.
It urged the US government to investigate whether any assets looted by any Bangladeshi individual or company were recoverable property in the US, and act swiftly to impose property and account freezing orders.
It said the US government could offer expertise, including from forensic accountants, lawyers and law enforcement, to support reforms and capacity building of Bangladesh’s relevant institutions like the Anti-Corruption Commission, Financial Intelligence Unit, Criminal Investigation Department, National Board of Revenue and Attorney General’s Office.
It also asked the US government to work with the governments of the UK, Canada, Australia, EU, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and UAE (particularly Dubai), and with the interim government, and in-country experts, including civil society within Bangladesh, to identify key targets for imposing financial sanctions and visa bans.
“As a long-standing partner of Bangladesh, the US can offer timely support at this crucial time in Bangladesh’s history. The US can show its genuine partnership by playing a proactive role in helping the people of Bangladesh recover the assets that rightly belong to them and that are so desperately needed to rebuild its future,” the letter concluded.
The call from Transparency International’s Bangladesh and US branches came just a day after the United States’ Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) promised to cooperate with the Anti-Corruption Commission in recovering laundered money.
The ACC will take help from the United States’ Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in recovering laundered money, ACC Secretary Khorsheda Yasmeen said yesterday following a meeting with an FBI delegation.
“The ACC will cooperate with the FBI on money laundering issues if necessary. The commission has a money laundering wing. It will seek cooperation from everywhere required to bring the money back to the country,” she said after a meeting of the FBI and ACC officials.
She also said the FBI officials have promised to cooperate with the ACC’s needs.
