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Expressing its grave concern over the deteriorating human rights situation in Bangladesh, the European Parliament has called upon the government to address the human rights challenges and comply with its commitment to sustaining trade benefit there.
Taking a strong stance on the Transition Accord on Fire and Building Safety, the EP passed a resolution on Thursday, calling on the Bangladesh government to allow the work of the Accord to continue beyond November 2018.
"The European Parliament expresses serious concern at the deteriorating human rights situation in Bangladesh and, in particular, at the ongoing crackdown on the freedom of expression and assembly against the media, students, activists and the opposition," the resolution reads.
It also condemned the fact that people are being arrested and subjected to violence for exercising their freedom of expression to criticise the government. It is also extremely concerned at reports that the use of torture is becoming endemic.
Voicing serious concern at the annulment of the Accord, the EP noted that "The RCC does not yet have the capacity to monitor and enforce health and safety requirements, with serious implications for the safety and rights of factory workers that this entails."
The resolution urged the government to immediately recognise and implement the Transition Accord and show greater readiness to take over all of the functions of the Accord.
It called on donors to support Bangladesh to make this possible and requested the Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS) to continue their capacity-building work with the RCC.
The EP's suggestion included adaptation of legislative changes to the Bangladesh Labour Act and its implementing rules to bring them into line with the ILO's international labour standards and to allow full freedom of association.
Regretting the government's decision to enact the Digital Security Act, the resolution also urged the Bangladeshi authorities to urgently revise the Digital Security Act and the ICT Act and bring them into line with the international conventions on human rights to which Bangladesh is a party.
The EP called on the Bangladeshi authorities to conduct independent investigations into reports of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and excessive use of force and to immediately and unconditionally release renowned photographer Shahidul Alam.