EU expects ‘peaceful, transparent, participatory’ elections in Bangladesh

The European MPs in a resolution on Bangladesh hope the general elections will be “peaceful, transparent and participatory” so that the citizens can express a “genuine political choice”.

Senior Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 16 Nov 2018, 05:18 PM
Updated : 16 Nov 2018, 05:18 PM

They have also called on the political forces to refrain from any violence or instigation of violence during the electoral period. The election is scheduled to be held on Dec 30.

The Nov 15 resolution appreciated the “constructive role” played by Bangladesh under “difficult circumstances” in accepting the Rohingya refugees.

They Members of European Parliament or MEPs urged the authorities to provide more land to reduce overcrowding and improve the squalid conditions in the camps, and also ease the bureaucratic restrictions they are imposing on humanitarian organisations.

They also urged the governments of Bangladesh and Myanmar to immediately reconsider the decision to start repatriating Rohingya refugees, since the conditions for a safe, dignified and voluntary return have not yet been met.

They asked the EU and other international donors to step up their efforts in providing the necessary financial and material aid to Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh.

The resolution also insisted that Bangladesh comply with its commitments under the “everything but arms” scheme in relation to democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

The MPs expressed “serious concern” at the deteriorating human rights situation in Bangladesh and, in particular, “at the ongoing crackdown on the freedom of expression and assembly against the media, students, activists, and the opposition”.

“It condemns the fact that people are being arrested and subjected to violence for exercising their freedom of expression to criticise the government; is extremely concerned at reports that the use of torture is becoming endemic, according to the text posted on its website.

They also called on the Bangladeshi authorities to urgently revise the Digital Security Act and the ICT Act and bring them into line with the international conventions on human rights to which Bangladesh is a party.

The MPs through the resolution also expressed serious concern at the annulment of the Transition Accord, which is due to take effect on Nov 30, and urged the government to immediately recognise and implement the Transition Accord and show greater readiness to take over all of the functions of the accord.

They called on donors to support the government of Bangladesh in order to make this possible.