Statement on European Parliament delegation’s Dhaka visit
DHAKA, Febr. 14 (NsNewsWire) — The following is the full and unedited text of a statement issued here Wednesday on behalf of the European Parliament Delegation for Relations with the Countries of South Asia which paid an official visit to Bangladesh from 12 – 14 February 2018:
“A delegation of the European Parliament is paying an official visit to
Bangladesh from 12 to 14 February 2018. The delegation is composed of the Chair Ms Jean
Lambert, Vice-Chair Mr Richard Corbett, Vice-Chair Mr James Nicholson, Mr Wajid Khan,
Members of the European Parliament’s Standing Delegation for Relations with the Countries of
South Asia. The delegation also includes Mr Sajjad Karim, in his capacity as rapporteur on South
Asia in the European Parliament’s International Trade Committee.
The visit of European Parliamentarians (MEPs) was organized in two parts. On Monday 12th
February, MEPs visited Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar and gathered first-hand
information on the ongoing exodus and refugee crisis. This part of the visit was organized together
with a Delegation of the European Parliament’s Sub-committee on Human Rights, led by its
Chairman Mr Pier Antonio Panzeri, who travelled onwards to Myanmar. Visiting the refugee
camps in Cox’s Bazar provided an opportunity to appreciate the commitment and level of
assistance provided by the Bangladeshi authorities, the challenges faced by local communities,
and the refugees themselves in the face of the oncoming Monsoon season. MEPs reiterated the
support of the European Union, while witnessing the humanitarian tragedy of one of the most
serious refugee crisis in the world. MEPs underlined the need to protect human dignity and hoped
that a sustainable solution would be found that also addresses the root causes. European
Parliamentarians are also aware of the funding needs that will be required to address the ongoing
crisis, as it unfolds in coming months, and expect the European Union and international
community partners to continue its engagement.
During the second part of the visit, MEPs returned to the capital Dhaka for meetings with the
Bangladeshi Authorities, mainly with its counterparts in the Jatiya Sanghad, the Bangladesh
Parliament, and with representatives of civil society. MEPs appreciated the opportunity to inform
themselves on developments in Bangladesh at an important juncture in bilateral relations with the
European Union, including the Bangladesh Sustainability Compact that aims at improving the
working conditions in the ready-made garment industry, launched after the Rana Plaza tragedy.
MEPs also met with the Commerce Secretary, the State Minister for Labour, the State Minister for
Foreign Affairs, and with the Chief Election Commissioner, ahead of the general elections
scheduled in 2019. Last but not least, the European delegation was also received by the BNP
leadership.
The delegation of the European Parliament welcomed a number of positive developments in
several areas, was encouraged by the reduction of poverty and the overall positive economic
development. MEPs also welcomed progress related to the Sustainability Compact, but recalled
that a number of relevant issues in that context remain pending, notably in the area of labour
rights. MEPs recalled the need to fully align the Labour Act and the EPZ Labour Act with ILO
standards, in particular Conventions No. 87 and 98 on freedom of association and collective
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bargaining. MEPs noted, furthermore, that the likely graduation to middle income country statuswill require a transitional process to implement and monitor the required ILO Conventions.European Parliamentarians regretted, however, the deterioration of the human rights situation overthe past few years, and took note of reports on hindrance to freedom of assembly and freedom ofexpression, enforced disappearances, extra-judicial killings and violence against women. MEPsalso recalled that the issue of child marriage remains a serious concern, and that violence againstsecular writers and bloggers, against members of religious minorities and against LGBTI peoplemust end. The European delegation invited Bangladeshi Authorities to step up efforts as regardsthese concerns and to facilitate the valuable work of civil society in addressing these issues.MEPs also hoped that the political environment would become less confrontational and hostile incoming months and urged Bangladeshi Authorities to facilitate the necessary conditions forinclusive, free and fair general elections in 2019.MEPs recalled that up to EUR 690 million have been earmarked in EU support for Bangladesh inthe current Multiannual Indicative Programme 2014-2020 and reiterated their wish to remainengaged and to further support Bangladesh in areas such as human rights, good governance andthe environment.MEPs also hoped that the impressive economic growth of the past years and the encouragingprogress in the fight against poverty, which have made Bangladesh an important trading partner ofthe European Union, will further help achieve the goals to which it has committed, in a moreinclusive manner.”