HRW's allegations against APBn not fact-based: home minister

HRW's allegations against APBn not fact-based: home minister

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan today said Human Rights Watch's (HRW's) allegation against APBn of arbitrary arrests and harassment of Rohingya refugees is not fact-based.

"The Rohingyas indulge in killings in the camps and the APBn [Armed Police Battalion] officials have been deployed there to do routine work. What Human Rights Watch is saying is not based on facts," he said while talking to reporters after attending a programme in the city.

"I think they [HRW] should prepare such reports after visiting and collecting more information," he said.

On January 17, The HRW in the report alleged that the APBn was committing extortion, arbitrary arrests, and harassment of Rohingya refugees with impunity.

The rights watchdog based its statements on interviews with over 40 Rohingya refugees, including 10 alleged victims who said they were detained on apparently fabricated grounds of trafficking yaba.