DHAKA: Head of the European Commission Delegation in Dhaka Ambassador Dr Stefan Frowein Thursday said Bangladesh’s Parliament has been suffering for confrontational politics as both the government and the opposition parties continued to nurture hostile relations.

“We would not say that parliament is totally dysfunctional though opposition remains absent from plenary debates. They have representation in the parliamentary standing committees,” he told reporters at a dialogue with Diplomatic Correspondents Association at a city hotel.

The European Union diplomat billed the current parliament more functional compared to the previous one, which had ended up in a crisis that prompted the 1/11 changeover. The progress, however, has been less than it was expected, he added.

Replying to a question, Frowein said Bangladeshi people do not want undemocratic government. “So I hope they would not face another 1/11.”  

He was critical of the government for not implementing the minimum wages for garment workers immediately instead of November.

“It is a pity that the increased pay is yet to be implemented. The workers would not get Eid bonus, they will also suffer from price hike in the month of Ramadan,” said the representative of the EU countries who are the largest buyers of Bangladesh apparels as a group.     

“This is unfortunate. The EU wants to see the wage is implemented immediately,” he said in categorical terms.  

Frowein said the trial of war crimes was an internal matter of Bangladesh. “We are not against the trial; we emphasize the need for international standards in the process.”

The international community has been closely observing the trial proceedings, he added.
 
Commenting on press freedom in Bangladesh, the EU ambassador said the Bangladeshi press is not absolutely free. “For a cent-percent freedom, you have to fight continuously,” he told the journalists.  

Diplomatic Correspondents Association Bangladesh (DCAB) organized the talks with Stefan Frowein while DCAB president Johurul Alam chaired. Imran Alam, general secretary of DCAB, also spoke.  

BDST: 2020 HRS, AUGUST 19, 2010