Photo : TDM
As a group of six Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) issued a letter to Josep Borrell, the High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, seeking action for ensuring general elections in Bangladesh freely, fairly, and impartially, the move garnered greater debate and discussion in the country’s political arena.
The MEPs, through their letter to Borrell on Monday, emphasised the necessity of a neutral caretaker administration during the election period to ensure equal opportunities for all political parties here. In addition, the MEPs highlighted the urgency of ending, what they said, human rights violations in Bangladesh and stressed the importance of releasing Khaleda Zia, the imprisoned leader of the BNP (Bangladesh Nationalist Party). They further underscored the need for meaningful dialogue between the government and other major political parties, including the BNP, to find a sustainable and democratic resolution to the ongoing crises.
The response to the MEPs' letter has elicited mixed reactions from political leaders, analysts, and civil society members. While the ruling party Awami League (AL) dismissed the letter as ‘unlawful,’ the main opposition party BNP kept mum over the debatable political issue.
Those supporting the MEPs' initiative argue that their involvement may contribute to the EU of free and fair elections in Bangladesh, a country that faced widespread allegations of electoral irregularities in previous general elections held in 2014 and 2018, following which the demand for a neutral caretaker government is viewed as crucial in ensuring an equitable playing field and restoring public confidence in the electoral process.
Muhammad Faruk Khan, a Member of Parliament and the Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the government is unconcerned about the MEPs' letter, considering it insignificant.
He deemed their actions as unlawful and a violation of international law – emphasising that the decision on election processes should be determined solely by the country's constitution and its citizens.
Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, a standing committee member of the BNP, in response to the letter, said the MEPs wrote the letter to express their concerns, similar to their previous communication with US President Joe Biden.
“So, we have nothing to say on the issue. But we will tell one thing that the next elections should be held in a free, fair manner that the country’s people want,” he said.
Political analyst and civil society member Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar suggested that the ruling Awami League should take the MEPs' letter into consideration for the greater interest of the country and its citizens.
He expressed that the caretaker government system, although canceled by the court, is a popular and effective mechanism for ensuring free and fair elections.
Majumdar highlighted the need for a fair general election for the country's own benefit, rather than solely relying on foreign advice or prescriptions.
Dr. Shamsul Alam Selim, Professor at the Department of Government and Politics of Jahangirnagar University, commented on the issue of foreign intervention in Bangladesh's electoral process.
He pointed out the lack of national unity and the recurring questioning of the election process as factors that create opportunities for foreign interference. Selim warned that if a solution is not found, the situation could worsen compared to previous instances, suggesting that it would be appropriate to discuss the matter given that the constitution provides for a caretaker government.
The Members of European Parliament (MEPs) who wrote the letter to Borrell are Ivan Štefanec (EPP, Slovak Republic), Michaela Šojdrová (EPP, Czech Republic), Andrey Kovatchev (EPP, Bulgaria), Karen Melchior (Renew, Denmark), Javier Nart (Renew, Spain) and Heidi Hautala (Greens/EFA, Finland).
Charles Whiteley, EU ambassador to Bangladesh, confirmed the authenticity of the letter, saying it reflects the opinion of the MEPs.
"With this letter, we would like to express our concerns about the violation of human rights in Bangladesh, and call to restore democracy and the rule of law in Bangladesh in view of its upcoming general elections," said the letter, dated June 12.
It said the current government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in power since 2009, has curtailed the democratic space for the citizens and failed to show respect to their fundamental rights guaranteed by the constitution.
"To consolidate its powers, the regime has been resorting to extrajudicial killings, abductions, tortures and false cases against the leaders and activists of the opposition political parties. Freedom of expression including the freedom of press have undermined in recent years, most notably since the enactment of the Digital Security Act 2018 (DSA)."
The letter says allegations of custodial torture and other ill-treatment remained common, often in connection to Bangladesh's Rapid Action Battalion (Rab). The abuse has not been restricted only to the government's political opponents, but to ethnic and religious minorities as well, including the minority Christian population in Bangladesh.
High rates of extrajudicial executions and enforced disappearances in the past decade continued to garner national and international concern, including from UN human rights mechanisms such as the UN Committee against Torture (CAT).
"We would like to emphasise the importance to focus on the upcoming 12th general elections in the country, which are expected to take place in the end of 2023 or in the beginning of 2024.
"We must bear in mind that the right of the people to choose their representatives is yet to be determined as no mechanism is in place for acceptable elections in the country. This is a problem, as riggings, manipulations, and non-attendance of the voters marred the 10th and 11th parliamentary elections."
The MEPs said while the 10th general elections were non-participatory with the major political parties including the BNP boycotting the polls, the 11th was concluded the "night before". Consequently, the governments have had no or little mandate from the people of Bangladesh and have failed to gain the approval of the international community.
"In view of the above-described, we would like to reiterate the EU leadership in promoting diplomacy, rule of law and human rights across the world, and consequently, we believe the EU has strong reasons to stand with the people of Bangladesh as the country is our long-time partner in the trade and development cooperation," the letter said.
The MEPs said thus, the EU needs not only to remain in constant dialogue with Bangladesh's authorities on human rights agendas, but also to produce tangible outcomes.
"Potential measures such as restriction of entry into the EEA zone of those responsible for and complicit in the human rights abuses, or regular reminding of the conditions for the GSP+ incentive to which Bangladesh is a bidder may be evaluated."
TDM/SD
