Stop violence, resolve crisis

Urging an immediate end to the growing violence in Bangladesh, the visiting European Parliament (EP) delegation yesterday echoed the calls from the international community and Bangladesh civil society for solving the political crisis.

The three-member delegation of the Sub-committee on Human Rights of the EP made the call in a statement, warping up its five-day visit during which the team spoke with government and opposition representatives and multiple interlocutors. 

At the talks, the team paid special attention to civil and political rights against the backdrop of the "violence generated by the current political impasse".

At least 71 people have been killed in violence since January 5.

Highlighting the issue of freedom of expression, the statement said, "Peace and stability should not be restored at the expense of civil and political rights. Freedom of expression is a fundamental pillar of a pluralistic and vibrant democracy."

The members underlined the need for consolidating democratic institutions and reiterated their expectations that the draft Foreign Donations Act should guarantee adequate space for civil society organisations to continue working for the betterment of the vulnerable populations.

"This is also critical for the smooth implementation of EU funded development projects," the statement said.

The delegation also expressed concerns over enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings.

Cristian Dan Preda, the delegation chair, said: "We were here because of our concerns regarding the human rights situation. We need Bangladesh as a strong partner."

He said the respect for human rights and democracy would be an essential component for Bangladesh to realise its full potential to reach its declared goal of becoming a middle-income country by 2021.

The two other delegation members are Josef Weidenholzer and Karol Karski. The team arrived in Dhaka on February 16 and is due to depart today.

The purpose of the visit was to assess the current human rights situation in the country, focusing on labour rights and children, women and minority rights, said the statement.

The European Parliament considers human rights and democracy an essential element of the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and the EU, in accordance with article 1 of the 2001 Cooperation Agreement, it added.

The delegation met the Speaker, members of the government, trade union and business leaders, environmental activists, representatives of local and international civil society, members of minority groups and senior political leaders.

They visited a garment factory in Dhaka and exchanged views with Accord representatives, trade unions and industry stakeholders to gain insight into the implementation of the Sustainability Compact and to assess labour conditions.

The team welcomed the progress achieved through inspections and consultations, and called for further support to the Accord, and working towards a supportive environment to ensure effective rights to collective bargaining and the full implementation of the amended Labour Law, including in the export processing zones.

The delegation also made a field visit to Mirpur to see a school and a project linked to children's migration to urban areas financed by the EU and run by Save the Children, an NGO.

It hailed government efforts and progress achieved in basic education of children, and encouraged further measures such as nationwide birth registration and protection of the particularly vulnerable groups, especially in large urban areas.

The members also discussed women and children's rights and urged the government to ensure the full implementation of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Accord.

They hoped the government would continue engaging with the international community towards improving the situation of the Rohingyas in Bangladesh.

At different meetings, the EP members reiterated the EU's principled position on the death penalty, opposing it under all circumstances.