European Union parliament is going to have a debate on freedom of expression in Bangladesh and pass a resolution on the matter today.
Seven motions were put forward by different groups and it is expected that there will be one resolution comprising important points in all the resolutions.
According to the EU parliament website, one motion deeply regretted “the execution of Ali Ahsan Mohammad and Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury.”
Another motion has urged the government ”to amend the Foreign Donations (Voluntary Activities) Regulation Act of 2014” and called “on Bangladeshi authorities to ensure that the Cyber-Security Act of 2015 and the Information and Communication Technology Act are brought in line with international free speech standards.”
The same motion also called on “the government of Sheikh Hasina to refrain from harassing international NGO’s in the country which include Amnesty International and Transparency International.”
Another motion commended “the Bangladesh government for the progress made towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals, which has resulted in significant and real-life improvements for millions of its citizens; furthermore acknowledges the fact that these improvements were realized under difficult domestic circumstances, which include the constant threat of violent attacks by radical groups such as the BNP-affiliated Jamaat-e-Islami party.”
Whatever resolution is adopted by the Europeaan parliament Thursday, it is not binding but reflects the pulse the lawmakers who represent Europe.
