Staff Reporter :
The visiting European Parliament (EP) delegation has appreciated the role of Bangladesh as a moderate country and expressed interest to work together in countering terrorism and extremism globally.
The EP delegation favours some ‘agreed mechanisms’ well ahead of the next Parliamentary polls due in 2019 so that many political parties can take part in the polls in a free, fair and credible manner.
The delegation came up with the remarks on Friday at a press conference before wrapping up their three-day tour to Bangladesh. Jean Lambert, Chair of the Delegation for relations with the countries of South Asia of the European Parliament, spoke in the press conference, while European Union (EU) Ambassador in Dhaka Pierre Mayaudon was also present.
Lambert said that it is very clear there is a need for some agreed mechanisms. Expressing their desire for ‘free and fair polls in 2019, she made it clear that neither the EP nor anybody else will be coming and saying ‘this is what you do’. “We won’t make any recommendation. It is something to decide by the people of Bangladesh. It is your decision,” she said.
About the freedom of press, Lambert said that the vibrant press and freedom of press are also part of democracy, and they have ‘some concerns’ in this regard. “I think it is fair to say we have some concerns about what is happening to the number of editors of the newspapers,” she said.
The delegation leader said Lambert said that they have raised four specific issues during their half-an-hour meeting with the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. “The issue of editors was not there,” she said. According to her, they that raised the issues, including murder of bloggers, rise of violent extremism at international level and trade issues. “We have serious concerns about human rights situation in the country and raised the issue of the murder of bloggers,” she said.
The four-member delegation also welcomed the commitment made by the Prime Minister for further joint collaboration with the EU on better understanding the cause of radicalisation internationally, keeping in mind the important role Bangladesh plays in the OIC.
To strengthen economic cooperation, stabilisation, also of the democratic structures in Bangladesh will be crucial, the written press statement on the visit made by the delegation mentioned.
On trade issues in general, the highlighted the opportunity for an increased exchange over the coming years as Bangladesh continues its efforts to become a middle-income country, and underlined the importance of the European Business Council to promote European investment in here.
The EP delegation held extensive discussions with Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, Law Minister Anisul Haque and State Minister for CHT Bir Bahadur Ushwe Sing over the last three days.
The delegation also met BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, officials of Bangladesh Accord on Fire and Building Safety, leaders of BGMEA, civil society members and the National Human Rights Commission’s Chairman.
At different meetings, the delegation raised several topics such as the implementation of the Sustainability Compact and said there is still room for improvement (in the RMG sector).
To improve the situation further, the delegation put forward full compliance of the country’s Labour Law in Export Processing Zones and full implementation of the ‘UN guiding principles’ on business and human rights.
The delegation visited a tannery at Hazaribagh as well as an EU-funded project at Dalit Colony, Gonoktuli in Dhaka.
