The US Department of State, in its Country Reports on Terrorism 2023: Bangladesh, highlighted the former Awami League government’s frequent tendency to conflate political opposition with 'terrorism'.

While noting that no transnational terrorist incidents were reported in the country last year, the report criticised the former government's approach and drew attention to allegations of extrajudicial killings and other human rights violations by some elements of Bangladesh’s security forces.

The report, published on the State Department’s website on Thursday, commended Bangladeshi authorities for their continued efforts to combat militancy, particularly against al-Qa’ida-affiliated Ansarullah Bangla Team and ISIS-linked Neo-Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (Neo-JMB).

Controversial Cyber Security Act Replaces Digital Security Act

The report noted the enactment of the Cyber Security Act (CSA) in 2023, which replaced the controversial 2018 Digital Security Act (DSA). While the CSA retained several provisions of the DSA, it expanded police powers, allowing law enforcement to target, harass, and arrest perceived government critics and other members of civil society for exercising freedom of expression.

RAB Sanctions and Counterterrorism Efforts

The US imposed sanctions on Bangladesh’s Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) in 2021 over allegations of human rights abuses. Despite this, the report mentioned that RAB and other law enforcement agencies arrested 163 individuals and filed 55 cases in 2023 as part of counterterrorism operations.

Collaboration with the United States

The report highlighted close cooperation between the US and Bangladesh in strengthening internal security and counterterrorism measures. Various units of the Bangladeshi police received training from the US government.

Concerns Over Violence in Rohingya Camps

The report also addressed ongoing violence in Rohingya refugee camps, noting it remains a significant concern. While no direct links between camp violence and terrorism were identified, the situation continues to draw attention from authorities.