State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam expects that the European Parliament will not interfere in the human rights organization Odhikar Secretary Adilur Rahman Khan's case.
He was responding to a question on Thursday following a debate in the European Parliament on Wednesday ahead of the verdict. Eight members of the European Parliament took part in the debate.
A Dhaka court, however, sentenced Adilur Rahman Khan, the secretary of the human rights organization Odhikar, to two years in prison on Thursday.
“The statement of the two is clear that they are not in favour of it. One of them also said that such a move could fuel neo-colonialism. The other one said this type of behavior is not fair to developing countries. Such an initiative could backfire on the European Union,” the state minister said.
They moved a joint resolution on Wednesday expressing concerns over the deterioration of the human rights situation in Bangladesh, notably the case of the rights organization Odhikar.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam said: "We have a mature relationship with the European Union. And it's a court proceeding. Hopefully, the European Parliament will not interfere."
He, however, said it was a non-legislative matter.
In response to a question, the state minister said: "If there is any propaganda or conspiracy against Bangladesh, we will definitely take it into account."
The vote on the resolution, titled "Motion for a Resolution" on the human rights situation in Bangladesh, is scheduled to take place Thursday in Strasbourg, France.
In this regard, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said what they (EU Parliament) are doing, they do not have the legislative authority.
"They have 753 members. Some take the initiative to speak against this. Some quarter might have encouraged them,” he said.
Adilur Rahman Khan was convicted of disseminating false information regarding an operation against Hefazat-e-Islam members at Shapla Chattar in Dhaka a decade ago.
ASM Nasiruddin, the director of Odhikar, also received a two-year prison sentence in the same case and both were fined Tk10,000 each.