Debate in EP on freedom of express in Bangladesh

International Desk: A debate on a motion to adopt a resolution on the freedom of expression in Bangladesh is scheduled to be held in the European Parliament (EP) today (Thursday).

The 15-point motion, brought by a group of EP members, highlighted the recent killing of foreign nationals, attacks on publishers, bloggers and activists, freedom of press, investigations into reported extrajudicial killings, national dialogue and other issues.

The text of the motion, which is not yet adopted as a resolution, says the EP lawmakers is seriously concerned with the violations of freedom of expression and free media coverage in Bangladesh, strongly condemns the attacks on publishers, bloggers and activists and deplores the loss of lives and condemns the recent killing of foreign citizens.

The EP strongly calls on Bangladeshi authorities to launch a credible and transparent investigation into the killing of publishers, bloggers and activists as well as foreign nationals to identify perpetrators of such heinous crimes and bring them to justice.

It urges the government of Bangladesh to recognise and respect freedom of the press and media and to allow human rights groups to play an important role in strengthening accountability and documenting human rights abuses; urges the Bangladeshi authorities to revoke the new media policy and abide by their obligations to allow free speech and expression.

The EP asks for the full independence of the media to be restored, inter alia, dropping all charges against editors and journalists who have published content critical of the government, allow the immediate opening of all media houses and social media services that were shut and immediately restore full and unhindered access to all forms of publications, including electronic ones.

The European Parliament calls for the Cyber-Security Act of 2015 and the Information and Communication Technology Act are brought in line with international free speech standards, and drop the criminalisation of "anti-State" publications.

risingbd/Dhaka/Nov 26, 2015/A K Azad