Dhaka, Sept 04 (V7N): Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) and four UK-based anti-corruption organizations have urged the immediate freezing of illegally obtained assets held by Bangladeshis in various countries, including the US, UK, and EU nations.

In a letter to the UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, the organizations emphasized the urgent need to recover funds illicitly transferred from Bangladesh to nations such as the UK, USA, Switzerland, EU countries, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and the UAE, according to a press release issued Wednesday.

The letter, co-signed by TI-UK, the UK Anti-Corruption Coalition, the International Lawyers Project, Spotlight on Corruption, and TIB, stressed the significance of working closely with the Bangladeshi government. It highlighted the importance of holding those accountable who possess these illegal assets and ensuring their repatriation.

This initiative is seen as a critical step towards building a "New Bangladesh" that is transparent, accountable, democratic, and free from corruption, as noted in the release.

Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, Executive Director of Transparency International Bangladesh, remarked, "Many of the countries where corrupt money and assets from Bangladesh have been laundered are our development, trade, and investment partners who are committed to combating corruption both domestically and internationally. Now is the time for them to elevate these commitments by taking immediate actions to freeze the illegal assets owned by Bangladeshi individuals and entities in their jurisdictions."

He further called on the governments of the UK, USA, Switzerland, Canada, Australia, EU nations, as well as Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and the UAE, to freeze these assets as the first step towards repatriating them to Bangladesh and holding the wrongdoers accountable.

Susan Hawley, Executive Director of Spotlight on Corruption, emphasized that the UK must take concrete actions to assist developing nations like Bangladesh in recovering stolen assets hidden in the UK and ensuring accountability for corrupt actors.

By intensifying anti-corruption efforts at this pivotal time for Bangladesh, the UK could play a significant role in helping the country achieve the secure, democratic, and inclusive future it has promised to support, she said.

Duncan Hames, Director of Policy at Transparency International UK, urged the British government to work closely with international allies and civil society in Bangladesh to implement a sanctions regime that freezes the assets of corrupt individuals and their enablers, preventing them from enjoying their ill-gotten gains.

In the letter to the UK Secretary of State on August 30, it was pointed out that extensive corruption by beneficiaries of the ousted authoritarian government is being exposed in Bangladesh, which is currently undergoing a transition.

The assets smuggled by these individuals rightfully belong to the citizens of Bangladesh. Quickly identifying and recovering these hidden assets from various countries will contribute to the reform of a "New Bangladesh" by enhancing transparency, accountability, democracy, and inclusivity.

The letter also seeks cooperation from the UK Secretary of State in supporting this effort.

Additionally, it urges the UK government to promptly address three critical issues in line with their commitment to support Bangladesh's Interim Government.

First, the anti-corruption organizations request that the UK’s National Crime Agency actively investigate whether laundered money from Bangladeshi individuals or companies is present in the UK. They advocate for freezing these assets as an initial step toward repatriating the funds to Bangladesh.

Second, they call for the UK government’s assistance in reforming key Bangladeshi institutions, including the Anti-Corruption Commission, Financial Intelligence Unit, Criminal Investigation Department, National Board of Revenue, Office of the Attorney General, and law enforcement agencies.

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