The European Parliament (EP) has called upon Bangladesh’s two major political parties – Awami League and BNP – to engage in a dialogue.
The EP also expressed concern over the current situation resulting from the January 5 elections and the reported incidents of ‘violence and vote rigging’ in the ongoing multi-phased local elections, according to an EP press release.
A delegation of the EP, led by Jean Lambert, Chairperson of the Delegation for relations with South Asia, which undertook a mission to Bangladesh on March 24–25, made the call during meetings with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.Chair Lambert, however, expressed her confidence that the country would overcome its current crisis and pursue its development as a democratic, secular and tolerant State.
This was the first high-level visit from the European Union (EU) since the January 5 elections.
The EP delegation called for a reinforcement of the independence of the Elections Commission.
It called on the government to ensure space for the civil society and maintain freedom of expression, notably by amending the Information and Communication Technology Act, which it is feared could lead to the arbitrary criminalisation of citizens.
Concerned by reports of attacks on minorities, extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances, the EP delegation called on the government to fully investigate these reports and to effectively implement its ‘zero-tolerance’ policy on police abuse and launch an invitation to the UN Special Rapporteurs on torture and on extrajudicial executions.
– UNB
