About meeting with the BNP on Wednesday, he said the political party expressed concern over the recent deterioration in law and order in the country
- Ambassadors of the European countries address a press conference in the capital’s Lakeshore Hotel yesterday to mark the Europe Day
Nine ambassadors of the European Union have voiced concern over the recent abductions and killings in Bangladesh.
“We two weeks ago expressed our concern to the government about this question. We called for investigations to take place into all cases and we were told that would be done and people to be brought to justice,” EU Ambassador William Hanna said at a press briefing held at a city hotel yesterday to mark Europe Day.
He was flanked by eight other ambassadors of the European Union.
About meeting with the BNP on Wednesday, he said the political party expressed concern over the recent deterioration in law and order in the country.
“Yesterday they were telling us about their concern about the abductions.”
When asked about the EU’s stand on reform of the RAB, Hanna said he would not make any comment on any institution in the country. “I would simply say it is very important that justice should prevail.”
About the political situation, he said: “We have called them for dialogue and we renew that call. We still think that is the way forward.”
He added: “People need to sit and talk about the problem and the EU position is dialogue and negotiation and that is the way forward.”
“I think there probably have to be a dialogue and solutions before fresh election. It is not for us to prescribe to find a way forward.”
About the readymade garment sector, Hanna said the government and the EU need to work together to make the factories safe.
Many progresses had been made in the areas like labour reforms and inspection of factories, he added.
Hanna said he heard that 800 factories had been inspected which was very good and it would help the export sector of the country.
“Substantial progress on labour issues is important for Bangladesh’s continued preferential access to the EU market, not only for RMG products, but for all goods it exports to the single EU market.”
British Acting High Commissioner Nick Low said they were following the “case of Narayanganj 7.”
“Let’s not make any mistake that the case of Narayanganj is very bad indeed. We hope that will produce a change in attitude.”
He mentioned that a British national and his driver were abducted on Sunday and Britain asked the authorities to make every possible effort to locate them and clarify the circumstances.
Low also said three years back, BNP leader Ilyas Ali disappeared and urged the government to “return Mr Ali to where he belongs and that is his family and clarify the circumstances about his disappearance.”
Spanish ambassador Luis Tajeda Chacon said they want to do business here.
Growth rate in Bangladesh is high and EU companies are interested in doing business here, he said. “We want to invest more and trade more.”
He said protectionism and put barriers to foreign investments are big challenges for Bangladesh. “I think this is a mistake.”
Dutch Ambassador Gerben Sjoerd de Jong said work is going on to transform the garment industry to avoid any incident such as Rana Plaza.
Danish Ambassador Hanne Fugl Eskaer, French Ambassador Michel Trinquier, German Ambassador Albrecht Conze, Swedish charge d’ affaires Karin Rohlin and Italian charge d’ affaires Edmondo Falconi were present at the press conference.
Source: Dhaka Tribune
Mr. Ambassadors, is just expressing concern enough? In the scariest gloom of abduction, kidnapping, killing, extortion etc are only matter of concern? Then why was Radovan Kardiz, Ratko Mladic, Slobodan Milosevic etc were brought to justice? Were they found personally kidnapping/killing innocent people? Your attitude towards what’s happening here is simply ridiculous.