US urges fair treatment to Yunus

The United States has expressed concern over the recent news reports that the Bangladesh government may pursue a tax evasion lawsuit against Prof Muhammad Yunus and urged for fair treatment to the Nobel laureate.

The United States has long admired and supported Yunus’ significant achievements in improving the lives of Bangladesh’s most vulnerable citizens, particularly women, a US State Department spokesperson said Tuesday.

“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,” the spokesperson said.

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 replying to a taken question.

Saying that the US 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,” said the spokesperson.

The statement further said 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 micro-finance as an economic model but in empowering ordinary people to lift themselves out of poverty and into a better life, it said.

The reaction came couple of days after the government decided to take legal action against Yunus and eight of his associated organisations for alleged irregularities in tax exemption.

The cabinet took the decision after the National Board of Revenue submitted a report to the cabinet following its year-long probe on the tax-free benefits enjoyed by Yunus and the eight organisations.

Yunus Centre protested the government decision saying Yunus didn’t breach any laws during his stint as Grameen Bank’s managing director, and all of his activities were approved by the bank’s board.