EU concerned over human rights, DSA, media freedom in Bangladesh

The European Union has called upon Bangladesh to ensure a strong human rights environment in the country, expressing specific concerns about the Digital Security Act (DSA) and media freedom ahead of the upcoming national election.

The EU's Special Representative for Human Rights Eamon Gilmore engaged in discussions with various government bodies regarding these issues, emphasising the need for a conducive environment for a credible election on Tuesday.

The Bangladeshi authorities assured the EU official that the government has implemented substantial initiatives to uphold human rights. They cited amending the Digital Security Act (DSA), ensuring labour rights, and guaranteeing a free, fair, and credible election as key steps taken in this regard.

Eamon Gilmore, upon arriving in Dhaka on Monday for a six-day visit, had a packed schedule on Tuesday, engaging in meetings with the Prime Minister's Office, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), and the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Home Affairs, and Law.

"We look to Bangladesh to ensure high labour standards, fair wages and a good general human rights environment," he told reporters after meeting with the chairman of NHRC on Tuesday at his office.

"We also discussed issues including the environment of the country for civil society organisations and for the media. These are the areas that also concern us," he said.

Regarding the upcoming election, he said, "A delegation from the EU has recently visited Bangladesh to assess the electoral environment. They will present their report shortly."

Asked if the upcoming national election was part of the discussion, NHRC Chairman Kamal Uddin Ahmed said, "Election was not a big part of the discussion. However, we talked about a few incidents regarding the election."

Meanwhile, the EU representative discussed the election issue in a meeting with the state minister for foreign affairs Shahriar Alam.

"We are also aware that the election is coming. We wish to see a free and fair election conducted in a democratic atmosphere," Gilmore told reporters after the meeting at the state guest house Padma.

"Whenever we look at elections, we look at the day of voting, the pre-election environment, political parties' participation, the state of political debates, and the media's situation," he added.

Eamon Gilmore also discussed the healthy environment for civil society and free media.

Shahriar Alam said, "We have discussed the election, but we did not discuss how to bring other political parties to the election. It's completely up to them."

After meeting with the NHRC chairman, 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.

"And that is something we look to not just from the EU institutions, but we increasingly find the businesses, private sectors are looking at these also," he said.

"Because investors around the world want to ensure that they are investing in an environment which is good for human rights, good for citizens. Consumers around the world also seek assurance that the products they purchase are sourced from supply chains that respect human rights," he said.

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.

Govt to amend Digital Security Act in Sep

While meeting with the Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq from 3 pm to 4 pm Tuesday at the secretariat, Eamon Gilmore expressed concerns about the Digital Security Act (DSA), labour rights and data protection.

In a post meeting press briefing, Anisul Haq said that he informed the EU representatives that the government has decided to amend the DSA which is due to be placed in the next session of the parliament in September for approval.

"We told them that we have been working on strengthening the labour rights issue. We sought EU's cooperation to resolve the remaining issue in the next ILO meeting," he said.

Welcoming the government initiatives to amend the DSA, Eamon Gilmore said that the EU has been concerned about the operation of the Act under which a large number of cases have been filed against journalists and people who have been using social media.

"The EU has already submitted some suggestions for the amendment that we love to see in the legislation," he said.

The EU representative also met Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Tuesday.

In a post meeting briefing, Asaduzzaman Khan told the media that they have discussed the Rohingya repatriation issue, upcoming election and human rights.

"The EU representative wanted to know about the preparations of Bangladesh for the election. I informed them that the election will be held according to the constitution. However, the government will cooperate with the Election Commission," he said.

The EU special representative also held a meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Principal Secretary Md Tofazzel Hossain Miah at the Prime Minister's Office.