The European Union (EU) Special Representative for Human Rights Eamon Gilmore said they are concerned about the human rights and freedom of media situations in Bangladesh ahead of the next general election.
"A delegation from the EU has recently visited Bangladesh to assess the electoral environment. They will present their report shortly. However, prior to the election, the EU expresses concern about the human rights situation and media freedom in the country," Gilmore said while talking to reporters after a meeting with National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Chairman Kamal Uddin Ahmed today (25 July).
"The ongoing situation of human rights in Bangladesh has been discussed with the chairman of the Human Rights Commission. We have offered several suggestions concerning the issue of human rights in Bangladesh, and they will address those at the governmental level," he said.
Gilmore highlighted that they had an extensive discussion on human rights, which has become a central aspect of the relationship between the EU and Bangladesh, especially within the context of their economic ties.
He pointed out that there is a noticeable trend where consumers are actively considering the human rights track records of companies and countries before making decisions.
"Investors are showing a growing interest in the human rights environment of the places where they are investing. Consequently, we also addressed concerns regarding the restrictions on forming trade unions and individual rights related to joining trade unions," he added.
Gilmore also said the EU is looking forward to negotiating a new cooperation agreement with Bangladesh, which will take place over the next couple of years.
"We already have a very strong economic relationship. Bangladesh is one of the biggest beneficiaries of the EU's system of trade preferences," he added.
NHRC Chairman Kamal Uddin Ahmed said the EU special representative mainly talked about the human rights environment in Bangladesh.
"He [Gilmore] knows about the human rights situation in Bangladesh," Kamal said.
When asked if the upcoming national election was part of the discussion, the NHRC chairman said, "Election was not a big part of the discussion. However, we talked about a few incidents regarding the election."
Eamon Gilmore arrived in Dhaka on Monday (24 July) for a six-day visit to discuss issues of mutual interests, especially rights issues. He is visiting at the invitation of the government of Bangladesh.
