Address rights issues, ensure inclusiveness
The European Union wants Bangladesh to address the issues relating to inclusiveness of the political process, space for the civil society and freedom of the press, says a statement from the EU.
“In Dhaka, I have held various meetings devoted to a wide range of human rights issues, including core labour standards, an area in which Bangladesh needs to make urgent progress,” EU Special Representative for Human Rights Eamon Gilmore said in the statement following his visit to Bangladesh on June 10-11.
Human rights, including labour standards, are an important element in bilateral EU-Bangladesh relations as well as in the trade relations under the “Everything But Arms” trade scheme, he said, terming Bangladesh an important country for the EU.
During his visit here,
Gilmore had meetings with Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq and acting UN resident coordinator and country directors of ILO, UNHCR, IOM, UNDP, UNICEF, UNFPA, UN as well as with representatives of NGOs and trade unions.
He also visited the refugee camps and met the Rohingya refugees and local communities as well as the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner Mohammed Abul Kalam, in Cox’s Bazar.
Besides, Gilmore discussed the aspects of rule of law and law enforcement, elections, freedom of assembly, women’s and children’s rights, human rights cooperation in the UN, rights of minorities and the implementation of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord, the statement said.
“The international community is grateful for Bangladesh’s generous hosting of the Rohingyas, and we as the European Union are doing our part to address the crisis,” he said.
Gilmore termed Bangladesh’s hospitality for the Rohingya refugees, including by the host communities, an example of solidarity to be followed by all.
The EU is making every effort to support Bangladesh in the important humanitarian mission, at financial and political levels, and it has mobilised €104.5 million since 2017, added the statement.
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