The US government has voiced concern about recent reports that the government of Bangladesh may pursue a tax evasion case against Prof Dr Muhammad Yunus and urged the government to treat him in a fair and transparent manner in keeping with Bangladesh law and the principles of due process.
“We urge the Government of Bangladesh to treat Dr. Yunus in a fair and transparent manner, in keeping with Bangladeshi law and the principles of due process. We’re concerned,” said a spokesperson of US State Department on taken questions.
The US State Department spokesperson said the United States has long admired and supported Professor Yunus’ significant achievements in improving the lives of Bangladesh’s most vulnerable citizens, particularly women.
The United States supports the continued independence, effectiveness, and integrity of Grameen Bank as an institution that promotes the welfare and development of Bangladesh’s most vulnerable people, particularly women.
The spokesperson said the US also supports the continuation of the Bank’s unique governance structure. “We look forward to the selection of a highly qualified and acceptable Managing Director and a new chairman who are committed to sustaining the Bank’s success.”
Grameen Bank is an engine of social entrepreneurship and prosperity for millions of Bangladeshis, and has an impressive track record improving the lives of the poor, especially women and girls.
An astonishing 96 percent of its 8.3 million borrowers are women. Grameen Bank has played a pioneering role not only in developing microfinance as an economic model but in empowering ordinary people to lift themselves out of poverty and into a better life.
Commenting on the political situation in Bangladesh with impending elections, the spokesperson said, “We’ve repeatedly urged the leaders of the major parties in Bangladesh to come together and agree on a way forward that will ensure free, fair, and credible elections in the coming months. What the way forward looks like is for the parties of Bangladesh to decide; however, nonviolence is essential to any solution.”
Meanwhile, Secretary Kerry has written to the Prime Minister and to Begum Khaleda Zia, encouraging them to engage in constructive dialogue on a way forward, it added.
Source: UNBConnect
This is typically a Bangladeshi scenario where political opponents or the persons purportedly opposing a major political party are subdued by a corruption string. The string is pulled by the seat of power (in this case; the sitting Prime Minister) when they get threatened and to prevent him from taking a political posture against them. These strings are used in case of our famous ex-President (and a past dictator for 10 years) General Mohammed Ershad. Both Khaleda and Hasina use that string to keep reminding Ershad that the thread of corruption charge will be pulled into place if he tries to fly high. Similar strings exist against few other political dynamos. This is extremely effective. Apart from this, Hasina is also good at using the police and the intelligence; especially in conjunction with Indian intelligence helping her in her nefarious activities. She does not want to leave the stage without creating a permanent mark. Obviously she did create a distinctive mark and people will never forget her for her vindictive politics and for thinking Bangladesh is her father’s property and she can do anything she wants. Also that she can place a descendant in power to carry the candle from her father to the other generations. I would urge her not to create a string for Yunus. It will not work. Yunus is not Ershad.