Durbin, Young, Senators Urge Bangladesh PM To End The Government's Harassment Of Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Professor Yunus

Letter

Dear Prime Minister Hasina,
We write urging you to end to the persistent harassment of Nobel Peace Prize laureate
Professor Muhammad Yunus—and the pattern of abusing laws and the justice system to target
critics of the government more broadly.
For more than a decade, Professor Yunus has faced more than 150 unsubstantiated cases
brought against him in Bangladesh. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
Volker Türk and human rights organizations such as Amnesty International have noted irregularities in proceedings against him, including the most recent six month prison sentencing
for allegedly violating the country’s labor laws that is being appealed. These reputable
organizations argue the speed and repeated use of criminal proceedings are indicative of
politically motivated judicial abuses. Moreover, the repeated and sustained harassment of Yunus
mirrors what many Bangladeshi civil society members also face in an increasingly restrictive
environment.
Yunus’ pioneering work on microfinance offered greater economic promise for many
Bangladeshis and millions of impoverished people around the world. The United States
Congress awarded him the Congressional Gold Medal in 2013, recognizing his pioneering
contributions to the fight against global poverty. Such efforts should not be undermined over
ongoing political vendettas, especially in a democratic nation of laws.

The United States values its longstanding relationship with Bangladesh, which includes
close bilateral and multilateral coordination on numerous common interests. Ending the
harassment of Professor Yunus, and others exercising their freedom of speech to criticize the
government, will help continue this important relationship.

Thank you for your prompt consideration of this matter.

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