Political parties must focus on challenges: UK Parliament
Apparently pointing finger at Jamaat-e-Islami, the European Parliament has said the political parties which are associated with ‘terrorist acts’ in Bangladesh must be banned.
“…parties which turn to terrorist acts should be banned,” said the Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) at a resolution adopted on Bangladesh at its debate chamber in Strasbourg, France on Thursday.
Jamaat was squarely blamed by the government for pre-and-post election terrorist acts, arson, and indiscriminate violence against civilians, including women, children and minorities.
According to the Human Rights Watch, some 300 people have lost their lives since last February in the political violence in Bangladesh.
Influential diplomats stationed in Dhaka have also long been condemning the street violence and cruel attacks on innocent people saying ‘violence is never acceptable and must stop immediately.’
On the day, the European Parliament passed a resolution on Bangladesh urging the European Union (EU) to assist a process seeking ‘a compromise’ which would give the Bangladeshi people a chance to express their democratic choice in a representative way.
“The EU should use every means available to assist a process seeking a compromise,” said the MEPs.
The resolution was passed calling for an immediate halt to the repression in Bangladesh, according to the European Parliament website.
The members of the European Parliament condemned the widespread violence which erupted in the run-up to the January 5 elections and expressed concern at the paralysis of every-day life in Bangladesh.
“The opposition politicians, subject to arbitrary arrest, should be released and parties having a democratic reputation need to develop a culture of mutual respect,” they said.
Earlier, a joint motion on Bangladesh was moved at the European Parliament for a resolution ‘pursuant to Rules 122(5) and 110(4) of the Rules of Procedure’.
The motion, moved by the MEPs on behalf of the PPE, S&D, ALDE, Verts/ALE, ECR and GUE/NGL groups, focused on fundamental freedoms, human rights and democracy in general in Bangladesh.
Debate in UK Parliament
Meanwhile, MPs on Thursday debated in the House of Commons on the situation in Bangladesh which was scheduled by the Backbench Business Committee following representations from Simon Danczuk and Anne Main.
The debate was the first item of main business on Thursday and was opened by Anne Main while the co-sponsor Simon Danczuk also took part in the debate.
Various issues related to elections and Bangladesh politics dominated the debate.
“We could not possibly look at the current political situation and sense of instability in Bangladesh without briefly revisiting what has happened in the past, which has helped form the situation,” Anne Main said.
During the debate, she also said, “Our government, I’m proud to say, continue to urge all parties to work together and to strengthen democratic accountability, but unfortunately it is not bearing a lot of fruit. The parliamentary model over there does not reflect ours.”
“Bangladesh is a secular country that has many Muslim believers, but many other religions as well. In 1971, it had the proud aim that it would remain secular. It is also a proud member of the Commonwealth. It is a disservice to that country that people from minority religions now feel so oppressed and intimated, with their temples being daubed and disrupted,” Main said.
Taking part in the debate, Martin Horwood said the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and other opposition parties have to tread carefully too. “Boycotting elections, abandoning the democratic high ground of participation and calling for the overthrow of elected governments is a dangerous path to tread.”
He said opposition groups and activists have clearly been involved in violence, and there have been accusations, particularly against some of the most controversial members of the opposition, including parties such as Jamaat-e-Islami, of violence against Christian and Hindu minorities, which is particularly concerning.
Rushanara Ali said the lack of stability and the lack of focus on investment and on achieving the conditions, needed for trade, will undermine economic and social development in Bangladesh.
“It is scandalous and unforgiveable that those in positions of power, of whichever political party, cannot put their differences behind them and focus on the interests, both economic and social, of the country and its people,” she said.
The British MP said all political leaders in Bangladesh must face up to that responsibility and mentioned that everyone understands that the history of Bangladesh is marred with bloodshed and sacrifice across the political spectrum.
Expressing displeasure on violence she said, “The point is that that cycle of violence must stop. Too many lives have been lost and too much is at stake, not only for Bangladesh, but for all of Asia and the international community, for the reasons I have mentioned.”
Rushanara Ali also said there have been some examples of success, but also political unrest and governance challenges, and the major political parties have failed to find a way of moving towards and achieving free and fair elections. “They must focus on the challenges facing.”
Source: UNB Connect