EU Parliament adopts resolution putting Bangladesh’s EBA preferences in question

Staff Reporter  :
The European Parliament yesterday passed a resolution that questions Bangladesh’s Everything but Arms (EBA) preferences, part of the EU Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) in the European Union, citing violation of international conventions.

The resolution, brought by seven parliamentary groups, was adopted by show of hands on Thursday (14 September), according to a press statement published on the European Parliament (EP) website.

The statement said, “An Everything but Arms (EBA) enhanced engagement process remains ongoing with Bangladesh owing to its serious violations of international conventions, MEPs [members of the EU Parliament] recall, denouncing the Odhikar case as a regrettable backwards step, putting into question whether EBA preferences should continue to apply to Bangladesh.”

The statement also said, “Expressing their deep concern at the deteriorating human rights situation in Bangladesh, MEPs call on the government to restore a safe and enabling environment for NGOs, human rights defenders, activists and religious minorities.

“Bangladesh must uphold the country’s international commitments, particularly under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Authorities must also ensure, MEPs say, that civil society organisations can access foreign grants.”

The European Parliament members (MEPs) specifically deplored
the prison sentence against two Odhikar leaders – Adilur Rahman Khan and ASM Nasiruddin Elan – handed down yesterday, and urged the government of Bangladesh to immediately and unconditionally quash the ruling.

What’s in the resolution The European Parliament resolution “on the human rights situation in Bangladesh, in particular the case of Odhikar” addressed several issues including the human rights situation in Bangladesh, free and fair election, imprisonment of Odhikar leaders, cybersecurity legislation, murder of RMG worker Shahidul Islam, etc.

Prison sentence of Odhikar leaders The EU resolution on “Human rights situation in Bangladesh, in particular the case of Odhikar” deplored the prison sentences of Odhikar Secretary Adilur Rahman Khan and ASM Director Nasiruddin Elan.

According to the full text of the resolution published on EU Parliament website, the block called on the Bangladesh government “to immediately and unconditionally rescind this penalty and reinstate Odikhar’s registration, as well as ensure that civil society organizations can access approved foreign grants,” Worsening human rights situation The resolution also expressed deep concern at the worsening human rights situation in Bangladesh.

“[EU] insists that the Government of Bangladesh must restore a safe and enabling environment for NGOs, human rights defenders, activists and religious minorities and comply with the country’s international commitments, in particular under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,” reads the resolution.

Furthermore, the resolution called on the Bangladesh government of Bangladesh “to work with the UN to establish a special mechanism to investigate allegations of enforced disappearances.”

It insisted that international observers must be allowed to attend court hearings.

EBA in question The resolution also recalled “a process of enhanced cooperation under the Everything But Arms (EBA) program is still ongoing with Bangladesh due to serious violations of international conventions.”

It expressed concerns that “the Odhikar case is a regrettable backsliding, with implications for whether the WTO preferences still apply to Bangladesh.”

Cybersecurity legislation compliant with int’l standard The EU block reiterated its call on Bangladesh to repeal the Digital Security Act and encouraged it to pass cybersecurity legislation that fully complies with international standards.

Free fair election The resolution also expressed concern at the mass arrests of opposition representatives and the excessive use of violence against protesters in Bangladesh.

It called on the “Government of Bangladesh to guarantee the conditions for free, fair and participatory elections in 2024.” Moreover, it underlined that unfettered domestic and international observation is a key international standard.

The resolution also called on the European External Action Service, the EU Delegation and the embassies of the member states in Bangladesh to raise human rights concerns at the highest levels and to increase their support to local human rights defenders, trade unionists and journalists being attacked, including by stalking.

Killing of RMG worker Shahidul The EU resolution expressed its disgust at the brutal killing of trade unionist Shahidul Islam in June 2023 and called for those responsible to be brought to justice.

It also called on the Bangladesh government to “comply with the core standards of the International Labor Organization and to implement its labour roadmap, in line with its commitment under the enhanced cooperation process.”

The EU parliament instructed the president to forward the resolution to the European Council and the European Commission, the vice-president of the commission and high representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the government and parliament of Bangladesh.