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Visit of a delegation of the European Parliament
Press Communiqué
Dhaka, 27 February 2003 European
Parliament
Delegation for Relations with South Asia and SAARC
A delegation of the European Parliament has been visiting
Bangladesh from 23 to 27 February 2003. The delegation was led by Thomas Mann
(Germany, Christian-Democrat), First Vice-Chair of the Parliament’s Delegation
for relations with the countries of South Asia and SAARC. It included also Neena
Gill (UK, Socialist), Second Vice-Chair, Robert Evans (UK, Socialist) and
Benedetto Della Vedova (Italy, independent).
In the course of the visit, the delegation had extensive meetings with the
following Ministers:
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the Minister of Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Barrister
Moudud Ahmed, MP
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the Minister of Finance and Planning, Mr. M. Saifur Rahman
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the Minister of Local Government, Mr. Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan
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the Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Motiur Rahman Nizami
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the Minister of Post and Telecommunications, Barrister M.
Aminul Hoque
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the Minister of Social Welfare, Mr. Ali Ahsan Mohammed
Mujahid
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the State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Reaz Rahman
It met MPs from all political parties, both government and
opposition, as well as the Chief Election Commissioner, Mr. M. A. Syed.
It also had extensive contacts with a number of Human Rights activists,
academics, and journalists, and visited development projects co-financed by the
European Union, both in Dhaka and outside.
This visit, following a formal invitation from the Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad,
Barrister Jamir Uddin Sircar had been planned for several months. However, the
recent events in Bangladeshi political life, in particular the “Operation Clean
Heart” which had prompted a resolution of the European Parliament on 23 November
2002, has meant the visit focused mostly on the human rights and governance
issue raised in that resolution.
The main conclusions of this visit are:
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We would like first to recall
that the co-operation agreement between the European Union and Bangladesh of 22
May 2000 is explicitly based on the mutual respect for Human Rights and
democratic values. Any observation that the European Union makes in this respect
is therefore in line with the need to ensure that Bangladesh respects its
bilateral commitments towards the European Union; it would be erroneous to view
them as an interference in Bangladesh’s internal affairs.
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With respect to the European Parliament’s resolution of 23
November, after four extremely dense days here, we are forced to confirm that
many of the concerns expressed in it are still justified.
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While by and large the Bangladeshi political and legal system
is formally democratic and compliant with international standards, its
shortcomings and moreover the lack of impartial and efficient implementation may
negate this.
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In particular, the recent Indemnity Law limiting
retrospectively the possibility to prosecute members of the armed forces but in
court martial, and totally indemnifying police forces and political personnel
from acts of murder, torture, illegal arrests and other Human Rights violations
committed during the “Clean Heart Operation” is a blatant violation of the
responsibility of Bangladesh to abide by the Rule of Law.
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This Indemnity Law casts a doubt on the real nature of the
system of government of Bangladesh, as do the hampering of the work of the
Election Commission, the persistent denial to create independent bodies to
protect Human Rights, to fight the systematic and widespread corruption, or to
enquiry on misadministration (ombudsman), some of which are in direct
contradiction with the very Constitution of Bangladesh.
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The previous government has its share of responsibility, as
it equally failed at implementing the necessary reforms in its time. The present
government however bears a heavy responsibility in harassing opponents,
restricting the freedom of press through harassment or indirect intimidation,
interfering with the work of the major national NGOs and in denying the
existence of such violations.
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We have been happy to witness the good communal harmony and
religious tolerance, which are a distinctive character of the Bangladeshi
society. Despite the fact that they are still rare, the recent and converging
cases of violence against minorities should not be dismissed or treated lightly.
The role of an independent Human Rights Commission should be in particular to
investigate such cases and develop a strategy to avoid their increase.
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This country is vibrant with dynamic entrepreneurs, sensible
intellectuals, courageous journalists, dedicated NGOs, young people eager to
learn and shape its own destiny, and a tremendously hardworking population, who
are ready to contribute to its development – provided they are not deprived of
this opportunity.
9. The delegation has enjoyed full and frank exchanges of views with a range of
politicians and especially welcomed the dialogue with the government. We have
posed many questions, and received many commitments of action. We will watch
with interest to see the developments in Bangladesh in the immediate future and
recognize the real progress this country makes.
The European Parliament is the legislative and political body representing the
peoples of the 15 member States of the European Union. It comprises 626 members
(MEPs) directly elected by the 350 million European citizens.
Contact: Thierry JACOB 011.85.12.69
tjacob@europarl.eu.int or the European Commission Delegation in Dhaka
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