They asked the government to lift the ban on indoor politics so political parties can engage in dialogues on election reforms.

Concluding their four-day visit, the five-member delegation also expressed 'deep concern' at reported human rights abuses and urged the government for 'prompt adjudication' of people arrested as corruption suspects to gain people's confidence in the anti-corruption drive.

"The European Union underlines the need to hold parliamentary elections as soon as possible in 2008, with the timing of those elections carefully calibrated to the implementation of necessary reforms," said head of the EU Troika team, Andreas Michaelis, at a press conference at Hotel Sonargaon.

The EU is the largest trading and development partner of Bangladesh, taking in $5 billion or 52 per cent of Bangladeshi exports and disbursed Tk 3,900 crore in development assistance last year.

Michaelis said they were fully convinced from their numerous meetings with the government, politicians, and the army that a set of 'practical' political and electoral reforms are working towards the elections.

The EU backs any of these reforms that work towards creating a 'sound foundation' for holding free, fair and credible elections, they said, adding that they were assured in their meeting with Army chief Moeen U Ahmed that the Army will not 'play a role in politics in the future'.

"We have been told it is 'unrealistic' to expect the completion of the voter list before 2008. If the whole process is completed by mid-2008 or September 2008, you should not wait further to hold elections. That is what we mean by holding elections at the earliest," Michaelis said.

"So far we have not received any indication that the [reform] process is not on track," he said, when asked if he was satisfied with the speed of the process.

It is important to build 'sound foundations' before holding elections, he said.

The delegation said they were satisfied with the Election Commission's plan to announce an 'election roadmap' by July 15, and they will determine their financial support for creating a new voter roll after a United Nations consultants' team finish preliminary assessments.

Michaelis, however, said they suggested that the government should look at an early lifting of the ban on indoor politics in the country and take specific measures to allow political parties to engage in all aspects of electoral reform.

He said holding elections is not only a governance and a technical matter, but also a political matter, and as such, "Political parties have to play a role."

"The European Union recognises the indispensable role of the political parties in the democratic process and feel their perspective needs to be taken into account in due time," said Michaelis, adding, we have asked the government to facilitate their early participation.

The EU team also urged the political parties to act as the 'avant-garde' of political reform to regain 'credibility' and support of the people, and also to receive EU backing.

Regarding human rights, the EU expressed its "deep concern at reports of torture and inhuman treatment of detainees, continuing incidents of extra-judicial execution and intimidation of journalists".

They said they have raised these points of concern with the government and urged them to quickly establish a National Human Rights Commission.

"The application of due process and prompt adjudication will be a key indicator of the fight against corruption and help ensure the confidence of the people in the process," the EU team said.

They underlined the need for "clear explanations, as to the reasons for the arrest, the possibility for bail, access to lawyers and family when in detention and swift disposal of cases by the courts."

The team also encouraged the government to improve conditions of Rohingya refugees and work towards full implementation of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord in consultations with indigenous representatives.

During their four-day visit, the team met Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed, Law Adviser Mainul Hosein, Foreign Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, Army chief General Moeen U Ahmed, Chief Election Commissioner ATM Shamsul Huda, an Anti-Corruption Commission commissioner, and leaders of the BNP and Awami League.

MEETS AL
The European Union (EU) Troika delegation yesterday stressed the need for lifting the ban on indoor politics soon so that the political parties can sit with the Election Commission (EC) and the caretaker government over reforms.

The delegation was quoted as saying when some Awami League (AL) leaders called on them at the Gulshan residence of the German ambassador and discussed the prevailing situation in the country.

"It was a fruitful discussion," AL Presidium Member Abdur Razzak told the reporters emerging from the meeting with Troika delegation. "We informed them about the need for removal of the ban on indoor politics," he added.

Observing that his party is for the reform always, Razzak said that the AL had brought reforms within their party in the past. He, however, noted that more reforms are needed.

"It is the politicians who will practise politics," the AL leader said adding, "For that we need proper environment."

Meanwhile, AL Presidium Member Tofail Ahmed said that their party believes in reform but at present the party does not have the opportunity of exercising political rights.

None of the EU Troika delegation agreed to talk with the reporters.

The five-member delegation arrived Dhaka on June 6 on a four-day visit to get a firsthand view of the country's pre-election political situation.