A group of six members of the European Parliament (MEPs) issued a letter to the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell to ensure a free, fair, and impartial general election in Bangladesh.
In the letter, which was sent on Monday, the group expressed concerns over the human rights situation in Bangladesh and urged the high representative of the European Union to take action for restoring democracy in the country.
The MEPs are Ivan ŠTEFANEC (EPP, Slovak Republic), Michaela ŠOJDROVÁ (EPP, Czech Republic), Andrey KOVATCHEV (EPP, Bulgaria), Karen MELCHIOR (Renew, Denmark), Javier NART (Renew, Spain) and Heidi HAUTALA (Greens/EFA, Finland).
They have also asked the official to take necessary measures while engaging in constant dialogue with Bangladesh authorities on the Human Rights agenda.
In a letter to the EU high representative, the six MEPs also called for ending what they say “violation of human rights, the release of Begum Khaleda Zia, and engagement of the government with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and other major political parties to find out a sustainable and democratic solution to the ongoing crises.”
The Embassy of the European Union in Dhaka, however, sees this letter as the views of the six MEPs who signed the letter.
“I would just note that this letter reflects the views of the 6 MEPs who signed it,” EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley told UNB.
EU has strong reasons to stand with the people of Bangladesh as a long-time partner in trade and development cooperation, the signatory MEPs believe.
“Thus, the EU needs not only to remain in constant dialogue with Bangladesh's authorities on human rights agenda but also to produce tangible outcomes,” the letter reads.
They mentioned potential measures such as restriction of entry into the EEA zone for those responsible for and complicit in human rights abuses, or regular reminding of the conditions for the GSP+ incentive to which Bangladesh is a bidder may be evaluated.
“In this regard, we would appreciate to know more about the results of the EU-Bangladesh Joint Commission and Subgroup on Good Governance and Human Rights and the plans to work on the Bangladeshi authorities on these (and possibly other),” the letter reads.
