UK MPs alarmed at ‘lack of open democratic process in BD’

British lawmakers called upon the UK (United Kingdom) government to put pressure on its Bangladesh counterpart to end enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings and protect the freedom of expression.

Ten British parliamentarians took the initiative. The Early Day Motion (EDM) states that the House notes with alarm the lack of a free and open democratic process in Bangladesh and in particular the recent disappearance of BNP joint secretary general Salahuddin Ahmed.

The EDM will be available at the following link http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2014-15/905.

The lawmakers in the move mentioned that there had been many other disappearances, including that of BNP leader Elias Ali in 2012, who had still not been located and there were repeated allegations of extrajudicial killings by the Bangladeshi authorities, especially by the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab).

Citing a recent report of the Human Rights Watch (HRW), it said that the Bangladesh government had a history of failing to investigate the enforced disappearance of opposition members.

The lawmakers called on the British government to 'put pressure on the Bangladesh government to ensure that free and fair elections take place promptly in Bangladesh, disappearances and extra-judicial killings are ended and that freedom of expression is protected in Bangladesh'.

The signatories to the motion are Peter Bottomley and Bob Blackman of Conservative Party, Julian Huppert and Bob Russell of Liberal Democrats, John McDonnell and Liz McInnes of Labour Party, Mark Durkan of Social Democratic and Labour Party, George Galloway of Respect, Jim Shannon of Democratic Unionist Party and Independent MP Mike Hancock.

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