EU delegation lauds BD’s human rights efforts

Staff Reporter :

A visiting delegation from the European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human Rights has lauded Bangladesh’s interim government for its significant efforts to improve the country’s overall human rights situation.

The delegation headed by Member of the European Parliament (MEP) and Chair of the Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) Mounir Satouri conveyed its satisfaction during a meeting with Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain in Dhaka on Thursday, according to Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The visiting members talked about different mutual issues including the upcoming parliamentary poll in February.

They also conveyed their continued support for the democratic transition of Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, Hossain briefed the delegation on reform initiatives taken by the interim government, stressing that these measures aim to uphold fundamental rights, strengthen democratic values, and reinforce domestic institutions to prevent future human rights violations.

He also reaffirmed the government’s firm commitment to international human rights standards, noting Bangladesh’s recent accession to key UN conventions, including the International Convention on Enforced Disappearances and the Convention against Torture.

The adviser highlighted the interim government’s ongoing preparations for the upcoming general election in February 2026, recognising EU support to Bangladesh’s Election Commission and welcoming the EU’s planned pre-election exploratory mission.

The EU delegation praised Bangladesh’s progress in ensuring civic freedoms and democratic participation, commending the government’s engagement, openness to dialogue, and citizens’ aspiration to vote.

“Despite global setbacks to democracy, Bangladesh is moving in the right direction to safeguard democratic values,” the delegation chief Mounir Satouri remarked.

The delegation also acknowledged Bangladesh’s continued generosity in hosting forcibly displaced Rohingya refugees from Myanmar, despite limited resources.

In response, Hossain urged the EU to maintain global attention on the crisis, bridge gaps in humanitarian assistance, and play a stronger role in facilitating the refugees’ early repatriation to Myanmar.