By Anjali Sharma
WASHINGTON – European Union’s Ambassador to Bangladesh, Michael Miller on Friday expressed hope that Bangladesh will soon witness the restoration of democratic order through a free, fair, and credible national election.
He made the remarks during his meeting with Bangladesh Nationalist Party Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury at the party chairperson’s office in Dhaka.
The meeting was also attended by the BNP Organizing Secretary Shama Obaed, local media reported.
Khosru said, like other international partners, the EU is awaiting the formation of an elected government to determine the future course of action.
“The first thing that was discussed was the election. The election is being held in February, so everyone is relieved and satisfied, and they hope that we will move towards elections soon and the country will return to democratic order. Because they feel comfortable working with an elected government, we have had detailed discussions about these,” media quoted the BNP leader as saying.
Khosru added that during the meeting, the problems and rights of workers in Bangladesh were discussed.
He said that the EU seeks to cooperate with the future Parliament of Bangladesh to ensure that activities can be carried out independently, effectively, and with accountability.
“They are thinking about new ways of funding. They want to cooperate with the next government economically and be a development partner of Bangladesh. This is a good sign,” Khosru added.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk expressed grave concern over recent legislative amendments made under the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government in Bangladesh that allowed the ban of political parties, organizations, and their related activities.
Turk urged the interim government to make meaningful advances on reforms to create the environment for free and inclusive elections.
“I am concerned about recent changes to legislation to allow the banning of political parties and organizations and all related activities. This unduly restricts the freedoms of association, expression, and assembly. I urge meaningful advances on reforms to create the environment for free and inclusive elections,” said Turk.
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights presented a fact-finding report on Bangladesh that included suggestions in certain specific domains, such as accountability and justice, police and security, civic space, political system, and economic governance.
The report noted that prohibiting political parties would hinder a genuine transition to multiparty democracy and would essentially disenfranchise a significant portion of the Bangladeshi electorate.
Human Rights Watch, a US-based advocacy group, also severely criticized the Yunus regime for attempting to suppress the rights of supporters of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League party.
The legislative initiatives by the interim government risk undermining fundamental freedoms, the nody emphasized in a statement.
HRW said “On May 12, the interim government ordered a ‘temporary’ ban on the Awami League using newly introduced powers under a draconian amendment to the Anti-Terrorism Act. The ban includes, among other actions, meetings, publications, and online speech supporting the party,”.
“The ban on the Awami League will apply until party leaders have faced trial for abuses committed during their 15-year rule, a process that could last years, thus effectively proscribing the party. The interim government has prohibited all activities, including any kind of publication, media, online and social media, any kind of campaign, procession, meeting, gathering, conference, etc. by the Bangladesh Awami League, curtailing supporters’ freedom of speech and association,” it added.
UN chief Antonio Guterres had called for inclusive elections in Bangladesh, urged the interim government under Yunus “to continue to make every effort” to be inclusive, taking into account the voices of women and youth as well as those of minority and indigenous communities.”
