Lawmakers Call for Sanctioning Ex-Bangladeshi Officials Over Violent Crackdown

Six congressional Democrats urged the Biden administration this month to sanction two former senior Bangladesh officials responsible for recent violence against peaceful protesters.

In a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, the lawmakers said that former Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan should be sanctioned “under all applicable authorities,” including the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, for their roles in attacks that killed hundreds of people and injured thousands.

“The use of violent force against peaceful protesters exercising their freedom of expression is an unacceptable violation of human rights," said Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., who led the letter with Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas. "The Bangladeshi leaders who orchestrated this brutal crackdown must be held accountable."

The letter also was signed by Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., and Reps. James McGovern, D-Mass.; Bill Keating, D-Mass.; and Al Green, D-Texas.

A State Department spokesperson declined to comment on the letter. The Treasury Department didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.