EU for early lifting of ban on indoor politics

FE Team | Published: June 10, 2007 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00

The European Union (EU) suggested the Caretaker Government (CG) to go for early lifting of the ban on indoor politics so that the politicians could contribute to the reform of the electoral process, reports UNB.
"The question of preparation for the general election is not a question of practical or technical but also political which requires contribution from political parties," the EU troika delegation leader Ambassador Andreas Michaelis told a crowded press conference in a city hotel, capping their four-day mission to Bangladesh.
He said, the delegation suggested the Election Commission (EC) and the government that they should look at the specified way in which they can engage political parties with regard to all questions relevant to the electoral process.
"The EU notes the indispensable role of political parties to the democratic process, and encourages the CG and the EC to ensure that the views of the political parties on electoral and political reform process are taken into account," the delegation leader said.
In reply to a question about the delegation's meeting with Army Chief General Moeen U Ahmed, Michaelis said, they discussed various aspects of the role of the armed forces in Bangladesh. And "we were reassured that the army has no intention to play a role in future politics in Bangladesh."
Referring to their meetings with the CG, the EC, the civil society and political figures, he said the EU welcomed the EC's planned mid-July roadmap, and stressed holding parliamentary elections as soon as possible within 2008.
In reply to a question, Michaelis said, "If the new voter list and reforms are completed, say by June or September in 2008, the elections should be held immediately after that."
Asked about lifting the emergency, he said, the state of emergency is a question very much related to the constitutional reality of Bangladesh, and hence the troika has no position to comment on this legal matter.
Asked why the troika did not meet two top political leaders - Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina, who have ruled Bangladesh since 1991 by turns - the EC head of the delegation Ambassador Stefan Frowein took the floor and said, they wanted to meet the representatives of the parties, and they sent their representatives.
However, Michaelis cited his meeting with the representatives of the civil society who informed them that general people are frustrated and disappointed with the past role of the political leaderships. He hoped that the political leaders here would go for internal reform and restore public confidence.
In its six-point "messages" the troika delegation welcomed the indication to make the EC Secretariat independent of the prime minister's office and, renewed the EU's support to the current process leading towards elections, politically and financially.
The delegation also welcomed the CG and the Anti-Corruption Commission's (ACC) efforts to fight crime and corruption for enabling good governance and honest politics, but also emphasised the importance of due process and swift adjudication of cases.
They said that the due process needs to be extended to all those detained, including clear explanations for arrest, the possibility to petition for bail, access to lawyers and family, and swift disposal of cases by courts.
On protection of human rights, Michaelis said that the EU emphasised that the respect for human rights gains particular importance during the state of emergency.
Whilst appreciating the reassurances that the government has made regarding the protection of human rights, including the media freedom, he said, the EU expressed its "deep concern at reports of torture and inhuman treatment of detainees, continuing incidence of extra-judicial execution and intimidation of journalists".
He said, Bangladesh should ensure that 'human-right violations' are vigorously investigated, and the perpetrators are adequately punished.
Recalling Bangladesh's international human-right obligations and its membership of the UN Human Rights Council, Michaelis called on the CG to cooperate fully with the international human rights bodies, including the UN Special Rapporteurs.