Time for EU to help Bangladesh uphold democracy as observer in upcoming election: EU MP Tomáš Zdechovský

It is time for the European Union to help Bangladesh uphold democracy in the upcoming national election as an election observer, Tomáš Zdechovský, a member of the European Parliament, has said.

Speaking at a discussion programme on Democracy and Human Rights in Bangladesh on 7 November 2023 in Brussels, Belgium, the EU lawmaker also highlighted the strong trade relation between Bangladesh and the EU.

The programme, hosted by Zdechovský, was attended by several other European Parliament members, diplomats, community leaders, and civil society members from Bangladesh, reads a press statement.

The disinformation campaign to malign the image of democracy and the Human rights situation in Bangladesh was the key point of discussion.

The speakers discussed and emphasised the need for strong friendship between the EU and Bangladesh for a healthy democracy and human rights.

Dr Mizanur Rahman, former chair of the Human Rights Commission of Bangladesh and the chairman of the Empowerment through Law of the Common People (ELCOP), Syed Mozammel Ali, chairman of Study Circle London, Rayhan Rashid of the Oxford Matrix, and Tomáš Zdechovský were the designated speakers of the discussion.

Delivering the welcome address, Zdechovský stated that around 19.5% of Bangladesh's total export earnings come from the EU and they have been a big part of Bangladesh's transformation from an agriculture-based economy to an industrial one.

He also mentioned Bangladesh as the "South Asian Tiger".

Syed Mozammel Ali emphasised the current situation of spreading fake news surrounding the democratic situation which has also created criticism in the EU.

He said most of the news is being circulated without proper investigation and sources.

"They never cross-check the validity of the information. The power structure of the security forces of Bangladesh are put into question by many. Some incidents happened by using excessive force and it is quite common for every country, it is not like Bangladesh is the only country dealing with these problems.

"If you look at the security forces of USA in Afghanistan, you will understand. But the government is trying to ease the situation as soon as possible. The perpetrators who acted ahead of their power in the security forces are put on trial and if found guilty they have been convicted with different punishments," he said.

Mozammel Ali requested everyone to cross-check any news found in the national and international media to get a clearer view of the actual situation of Bangladesh.