EU envoy calls for rigorous investigation of rights abuses
Monday, 8 December 2008
European Union (EU) Ambassador Stefan Frowein Sunday called for rigorous investigation of human rights abuses and appropriate punishment for those responsible to combat impunity and protect human rights, reports UNB.
Speaking at a Human Rights Jamboree at a local hotel he said the protection of media freedoms and avoidance of intimidation and harassment of journalists is also an important benchmark for human rights values.
"We should never forget that journalists are also human rights defenders. They are often in front line when it comes to voicing support for democratic values and reflecting an accurate picture of developments in a given society," the Ambassador said.
Chairman of the newly constituted National Human Rights Commission Justice Amirul Kabir Chowdhury and Coordinator of "Nijera Kori" Khushi Kabir also spoke the function.
Frowein said the European Commission (EC) plans to spend 130 million euros on governance and human rights for the period of 2007-2013, which represents 25 per cent of total EC assistance to Bangladesh.
Ongoing projects funded by the EC include anti-trafficking, birth registration, preventing violence against women and confidence building in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
Speaking at a Human Rights Jamboree at a local hotel he said the protection of media freedoms and avoidance of intimidation and harassment of journalists is also an important benchmark for human rights values.
"We should never forget that journalists are also human rights defenders. They are often in front line when it comes to voicing support for democratic values and reflecting an accurate picture of developments in a given society," the Ambassador said.
Chairman of the newly constituted National Human Rights Commission Justice Amirul Kabir Chowdhury and Coordinator of "Nijera Kori" Khushi Kabir also spoke the function.
Frowein said the European Commission (EC) plans to spend 130 million euros on governance and human rights for the period of 2007-2013, which represents 25 per cent of total EC assistance to Bangladesh.
Ongoing projects funded by the EC include anti-trafficking, birth registration, preventing violence against women and confidence building in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.