Miller: US fears law will be misused to harass Dr Yunus

The United States fears that Bangladeshi laws may be misused to harass and intimidate Nobel Prize winner Dr Muhammad Yunus.

The US Department of State Spokesperson Matthew Miller made the remarks while speaking at a media briefing in Washington on Monday. 

He emphasized that they were also aware of the Bangladesh Anti-Corruption Commission taking legal action against Ambassador Peter Haas.

He said: “You have heard me speak before about the US government’s concerns surrounding the cases against Muhammad Yunus, including that they could represent a potential misuse of Bangladesh’s laws to harass and intimidate the doctor. Ambassador Haas simply reiterated those comments, acting in his capacity as the US government’s highest ranking representative in Bangladesh.”

Besides, he said that the US State Department is also aware of the call for boycott of Indian goods in Bangladesh.

In this regard, he said: "We value our relationship with both Bangladesh and India. We will continue to work with both countries’ governments to pursue our shared interests, including to ensure a free, open, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region."

He made the remarks when a questioner wanted to know about the so-called “India Out” campaign in the region at a media briefing on Monday in Washington. 

"So, we are aware of the reports of this campaign. I’m obviously not going to comment on any individual consumers’ decisions, whether it’s in Bangladesh or anywhere around the world," Miller said. 

Speaking to reporters recently after a US delegation's Bangladesh visit, Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud said there is a willingness from both sides, the US and Bangladesh, to work together, and they want to create a new chapter in their relations. 

"We also want to begin a new chapter of relations with them," he said, adding that the people will benefit from strengthening the relations.

Eileen Laubacher, special assistant to the president and senior director for South Asia, US National Security Council (NSC), Michael Schiffer, USAID assistant administrator, Bureau for Asia, and Afreen Akhter, Us Department of State deputy assistant secretary for South and Central Asia, had a three-day visit to Bangladesh recently.