Bangladesh’s current political issues, including the recent incidents of disappearances, came up for discussions as early day motion (EDM) in the UK parliament and noted with alarm the ‘lack of a free and open democratic process in Bangladesh’. The MPs who came up with the EDM called on their government to put pressure on the Bangladesh government to ensure that free and fair elections take place promptly in Bangladesh. They also said disappearances and extra-judicial killings need to be ended and that freedom of expression is protected in Bangladesh. The House particularly noted about the recent disappearance of Salahuddin Ahmed, a spokesperson and joint-secretary of Bangladesh National Party (BNP). It also noted that there have been many other disappearances, including that of BNP leader Elias Ali in 2012, who has still not been located. It also noted that Human Rights Watch has said the Bangladesh government has a history of failing to investigate the enforced disappearances of opposition members and there are repeated allegations of extrajudicial killings by the Bangladeshi authorities, especially by the Rapid Action Battalion. The EDM titled Disappearances in Bangladesh was signed by 10 MPs, according to UK parliament website. Early Day Motions (EDMs) are formal motions submitted for debate in the House of Commons. However, very few are actually debated. EDMs allow MPs to draw attention to an event or cause. MPs register their support by signing individual motions.–Dhaka, Mar 25 (UNB)
