A group of six members of the European Parliament (MEPs), in a joint letter on Monday (June 12), urged the High Representative of the parliament for taking action to restore democracy in Bangladesh.

The letter to Josep Borrell, also the vice-president of the European Commission, urged him for taking initiatives to ensure release of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairperson Khaleda Zia, holding the upcoming national elections under caretaker government, end to the violation of human rights and engagement of the government with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and other major political parties to find out a sustainable and democratic solution to the ongoing crises.

The letter, signed by the six parliamentarians, are Ivan ŠTEFANEC (EPP, Slovak Republic), Michaela ŠOJDROVÁ (EPP, Czech Republic), Andrey KOVATCHEV (EPP, Bulgaria) and Karen MELCHIOR (Renew, Denmark), Javier NART (Renew, Spain), and Heidi HAUTALA (Greens/EFA, Finland).

'With this letter, we would like to express our concerns about the violation of human rights in Bangladesh, and call to restore democracy and the rule of law in Bangladesh in view of its upcoming general elections,' said the joint letter read.

The statement also said that the freedom of expression including the freedom of press had undermined in recent years, most notably since the enactment of the Digital Security Act (DSA) 2018.

BDST: 1516 HRS, JUNE 13, 2023
MN/SMS