Now is the time to start a discussion on how power should be transferred from one government to another, a visiting EU delegation has said.
“Whatever the mechanism is, [it] is something that really does need to be discussed now,” visiting European Parliament delegation leader Jean Lambert said at a press conference on Friday.
The four-member delegation came to Dhaka on a three-day visit and had meetings with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her cabinet colleagues, the speaker, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and civil society members.
Lambert said the mechanism needs to be decided as far ahead from the election as possible because such a thing cannot be decided a few weeks before the polls.
However, replying to a query, she said the issue had not been discussed with the prime minister.
Human rights, violent extremism, trade and trade benefits issues were discussed with Hasina, she said.
“We have serious concerns about human rights situation in the country, and raised the issue of murder of bloggers,” she said.
When asked about the freedom of press, she said: “I think it is fair to say that we have some concerns about what is happening to a number of editors.”
About readymade garment sector, she said the European Union is a very strong supporter of necessary changes in the sector.
“Our desire to play our part in making sure about fair price is paid,” she said.
She said it is good to buy clothes at cheap price, but it is necessary to think about the consequences.
An RMG product was being sold for $4, but later slapped with a price tag of $45 dollar; so it was normal that workers would question where the $40 had gone, she said.
