EU special envoy-Ministers discuss human rights, credible polls issues

Staff Reporter :
European Union Special Representative on Human Rights Eamon Gilmore has expressed concerns over the human rights situation and media freedom in the country.
Apart from it, the European Union (EU) will keep an eye on the situation before and after the national parliamentary polls in Bangladesh, he said.

According to Eamon Gilmore, they have provided some advice on human rights issues in Bangladesh, but the government will be the one to discuss it further.
The visiting European Union Special Representative on Human Rights Eamon Gilmore took part in several meetings with Law Minister Anisul Huq, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alom and Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission Dr. Kamal Uddin Ahmed on Tuesday.

The EU Special Representative also said that they discussed various issues including human rights situation, digital security law and holding a credible elections in Bangladesh during the meetings.
“We want to see the next national election of Bangladesh will be free, fair, impartial and participatory. The EU will keep an eye on all kinds of situations including human rights before and after the elections in Bangladesh. Human rights are at the heart of the relationship between Bangladesh and the European Union. We value human rights in relationships,” Eamon Gilmore told reporters after the meeting with Shahriar Alom. Regarding the EU’s independent expert team that recently visited Bangladesh at the invitation of the

Election Commission, Eamon Gilmore replied, the EU’s pre-election observer delegation will submit a report to Brussels regarding their visit in Bangladesh and the EU will take further decisions based on the report whether it will send observers or not.

“Discussions have taken place regarding the current human rights situation in Bangladesh. In my opinion, Bangladesh has a very good relationship with the European Union (EU). Our relationship is strong economically. We have provided several pieces of advice regarding human rights issues in Bangladesh, and they will be communicated to the government,” Eamon Gilmore said after the meeting with Dr. Kamal Uddin Ahmed.

He said this when he met with Dr. Kamal Uddin Ahmed, the Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission at the latter’s office in the capital.
During the meeting, Gilmore mentioned that a delegation from the EU has visited Bangladesh to assess the electoral environment and will soon submit their report. However, the EU remains worried about the human rights situation and media freedom in Bangladesh concerning the upcoming elections.
Dr. Kamal Uddin Ahmed, the Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, stated that the commission is working on cases related to extrajudicial killings and disappearances. Such incidents are unfortunate for Bangladesh and damage its image abroad.

He advised the relevant authorities to be vigilant in handling such cases to avoid tarnishing the country’s reputation.
There hasn’t been much discussion about the election. However, nothing can be done during the election that would damage our country’s image,” NHRC Chairman said.
The meeting was also attended by Victor Wilk, a political advisor from the European External Action Service (EEAS), and four representatives from the EU, including Charles White, the newly appointed EU Ambassador to Dhaka.

The government is revising the Digital Security Act, which will be placed in Parliament for amendment next September.
Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq told this to reporters after a meeting with EU Special Representative for Human Rights Eamon Gilmore at the Secretariat on Tuesday.
The minister earlier said a six-member team – comprising representatives of several ministries including the law ministry, information and communication technology ministry and home affairs ministry – was formed to look into the issue.

The team is working with the United Nations Commission on Human Rights (UNHCR) office to find out whether human rights are being violated due to the enforcement of this law, he said.
However, civil society members have been calling for abolition, not an amendment, of the controversial Digital Security Act (DSA) as it is being allegedly used to choke all forms of freedom of expression.
“The Digital Security Act has not been enacted to regulate freedom of expression or the media or it is not being used to do these. Several solutions have already been taken to prevent the misuse of the law,” the law minister previously said.

The United States in April expressed concerns over the Bangladesh government’s use of the Digital Security Act (DSA).
Speaking at the 52nd session of UN Human Rights Council on 7 March, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk called on the Bangladesh government to immediately suspend the application of the Digital Security Act, expressing concern that the act is being used to muzzle freedom of expression.