Report in Dhaka Tribune, Sept 15, 2023
The government of Bangladesh has expressed its “utter disappointment” at the adoption of a resolution by the European Parliament on Thursday on the “Human rights situation in Bangladesh, notably the case of Odhikar.”
“The timing and language of the joint motion, tabled by some political groups in the European Parliament, for making judgemental comments over sub-judice matters and a court verdict on two Odhikar officials delivered today in Dhaka is reflective of their intention of interfering into the independent judiciary of a sovereign state,” read the foreign ministry statement.
“The independent judiciary of Bangladesh continues to ensure that judicial proceedings are conducted openly and fairly and that the rights of the parties are fully respected.
“Bangladesh judiciary decides matters before them based on evidence and in accordance with the law, without any restrictions, influences, inducements, pressures, threats or interferences, direct or indirect, from any quarter or for any reason,” it said.
“The government of Bangladesh is appalled by the favouritism reflected in the European Parliament’s resolution on Odhikar, a non-compliant politically biased entity with a proven record of circulating misinformation and an accomplice of vested quarters that promote terrorism and violent extremism.
“It is a fact known to all that Mr Adilur Rahman Khan, secretary of Odhikar, was appointed as deputy attorney general by the BNP-Jamaat government and worked in that capacity for five years from 2001 to 2006.
“Therefore, Odhikar is not at all a neutral or independent organization that it tries to claim to be and is unfortunately believed by some in the international community,” the foreign ministry said.
“To support and promote an organization like Odhikar in the name of upholding civic and democratic space is tantamount to adopting a totally subjective, selective and partisan approach and is a clear manifestation of double standard by those who speak of defending human rights of the victims on one hand and make exposed and imposing attempts to protect the alleged violator on the other.”
“The government of Bangladesh disagrees with the text of the resolution.”
The ministry said Bangladesh deeply valued its 50-year-long growing partnership with the European Union and all its institutions, including the European Parliament.
Dhaka “expects the continuation of the same through meaningful engagement based on the principles of mutual respect and non-interference into each other’s internal affairs,” read the statement.
Earlier, the European Parliament adopted the resolution moved by seven members by the show of hands.
Expressing deep concern about the deteriorating human rights situation in Bangladesh, the MEPs called on the administration in Dhaka to restore a safe and enabling environment for NGOs, human rights defenders, activists and religious minorities.
Bangladesh must uphold its international commitments, particularly under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Authorities must also ensure, MEPs said, that civil society organizations could access foreign grants, according to a statement of the European Parliament after the adoption of resolution.
MEPs specifically deplored the prison sentence of two Odhikar leaders – Adilur Rahman Khan and ASM Nasiruddin Elan – handed down on Thursday, and urged the government of Bangladesh to immediately and unconditionally quash the ruling.
“An Everything but Arms (EBA) enhanced engagement process remains ongoing with Bangladesh owing to its serious violations of international conventions, MEPs recall, denouncing the Odhikar case as a regrettable backwards step, putting into question whether EBA preferences should continue to apply to Bangladesh.”
Meanwhile, before the adoption of the resolution, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam said it was a “non-legislative” matter, but warned that “if there is any propaganda or conspiracy against Bangladesh, we will definitely take it into account.”https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/foreign-affairs/325344/bangladesh-rejects-european-parliament-resolution
