Anniversary of RAB in the Post-Sanction Era

19^th March 2023 marked the anniversary of Bangladesh’s Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). This year the elite force marked its 19^th anniversary. RAB and the state commemorated the event profoundly as per the news reports. The Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, and the Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal attended the event and both applauded the agency’s role in maintaining Bangladesh’s security.

Since its inception in 2004, the elite force developed itself with an upward trajectory and emerged as one of the vital Law Enforcement Agencies (LEA) for Bangladesh. It had a significant contribution to curbing terrorism, fighting drugs, maintaining law and order, and providing security to the citizens. Quickly, RAB and its members were known for their commitment to their service and to the country. In the last 19 years, 27 RAB officials were killed in the line of duty while upholding national security. Countless were also injured during the operations. RAB’s intelligence chief, Lieutenant Colonel Azad Abul Kalam also sacrificed his life during the infamous counter-terrorism operation at Atia Mahal.

However, the United States of America (USA) announced sanctions on the force on 10^th December 2021 over the allegations of gross human rights violations that put a strain on RAB.

Then it’s been a bit more than one year since the agency is working in the post-sanction era. Marking the anniversary and against the backdrop of the sanctions, it is worth revisiting RAB’s performance and focusing on its success in the last year.

RAB At a Glance
RAB is an elite force that works under Bangladesh Police. RAB is a unique intelligence organization that has the jurisdiction to make an arrest. The organization was established after the FBI model to combat crimes more efficiently. During the last 19 years, RAB received training and support from several external partners including the US and the UK.

As it is an elite force, RAB has no permanent members. It comprised members from military and paramilitary forces serving under deputation. The members come from the Police, the Army, the Navy, Air Force, Ansar, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), etc. As the members serve under deputation and go back to their respective units upon fulfilling the time, the management of RAB and its institutional development changes automatically over time. As a result, it has a dynamic and ever-evolving management that reforms better gradually.

RAB’s Success Since
Since 2004, RAB has successfully deployed a network all over the country to gather information regarding public security. Since its inception, it is playing a primary role in curbing terrorism. It has arrested top JMB leaders including Shaikh Abdur Rahman and Bangla Bhai.

It is also the best-performing agency against the war on drugs seizing 60 million pieces of Yaba and 3.7 million bottles of Phensedyl – the highest among the LEAs. It has also arrested 47 thousand drug dealers and peddlers.

Apart from terrorism and drug trafficking, RAB also rescued 1000 victims and arrested 1200 human traffickers. It has also seized 17000 firearms. RAB also played important role in making Sundarban pirate-free.

US Sanction on RAB
On 10^th December 2021 the US announced sanctions on RAB unilaterally under its Global Magnitsky Sanction act. The Sanctions included RAB and its 7 former and then-current top officials on the allegation of gross human rights violation. Due to sanctions, RAB’s institutional development is facing a serious challenge. It is missing training and procurement opportunities from the western countries.

RAB in the Post-Sanction Era
However, in the last year, RAB continued fighting terrorism and drug cartel at its capacity and method. Currently, it is playing a praiseworthy role in Bangladesh’s drive against Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF) – a militant separatist entity active in Chittagong Hill Tract. RAB is also curbing terrorism and arrested a number of the top brass of the newly formed terrorist organization, Jamatul Shaqia.

There were hardly any allegations of violation against the force in the last year. RAB’s remarkable success was also acknowledged by the US. In March 2022, US Under Secretary, Victoria Nuland acknowledged it. Recently, Assistant Secretary Donald Lu also praised RAB for its ‘tremendous progress’ in respecting human rights.

Bangladesh still has a terrorism problem and drug cartels pose a significant threat to its national security. As a result, the elite force remains one of the important agencies to curb terrorism and drug abuse. Sanction in this aspect is posing a serious challenge to the agency’s institutional development. It is hindering its operational activities due to reduced training and procurement opportunity.

RAB remains a primary force to counter the menace of terrorism. And the US is also acknowledging its remarkable success in the post-sanction era. Hence, the sanction is only bringing difficulties to the elite force’s institutional development. Perhaps, it is time to lift the sanctions against RAB and the US may rethink it.

Shafiqul Elahi is a former government official of Bangladesh