By IANS
Dhaka : A group of European Parliament members has expressed concern over “systematic oppression and implication of party leaders” under the emergency rules in Bangladesh.
It has called upon the army-controlled interim government to lift the state of emergency and announce an election date as soon as possible, United News of Bangladesh (UNB) news agency has reported.
“We have learnt that the human rights situation in Bangladesh is deteriorating day by day. We believe that the government can make progress through negotiations and dialogue with all the political actors,” they observed in a joint statement.
The statement expressed concern over the recent political developments in Bangladesh as well as health condition of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, detained under a graft charge since July last year, “even though she is advised by specialists to get treatment aboard”.
“As members of the European Parliament we are ready to support further cooperation with Bangladesh as a long lasting development partner, if the present government restores civic and political liberties and arranges free and fair democratic elections as soon as possible in the presence of international observers,” the group said.
Some 21 members of the European Parliament issued the statement on Jan 22, which was released by the Awami League office Saturday, New Age newspaper said Sunday.
The caretaker government of Chief Advisor Fakhruddin Ahmed, in office since January last year, is conducting a drive against corruption that has netted over 200,000 people in jail, including over 200 former ministers, lawmakers and businessmen.