Respect press freedom, human rights

Visiting delegation of the European Parliament (EP) yesterday stressed for recognising and respecting freedom of the press and media and allowing human rights bodies to play an important role in strengthening accountability and documenting human rights abuses.

The 4-member EP delegation led by Jean Lambert (Green Party), chair of the delegation for relations with the countries of South Asia, arrived in Dhaka early yesterday to discuss various issues including politics, freedom of expression, labour rights, and human rights.

They also inquired about the government's steps in protecting bloggers and freethinkers and stressed for credible and transparent investigation into the killing of publishers, bloggers and foreign nationals.

During its meeting with the Chairman of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Prof Mizanur Rahman, they wanted to know whether any threat to bloggers still existed in the country. The NHRC chairman briefed the delegation about the country's overall human rights situation.

The delegation yesterday called on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and also met separately with Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed, State Minister for CHT Affairs Bir Bahadur Ushwe Sing and representatives of the civil society.

The other members of the delegation - Richard Howitt (Labour Party), vice-chair, delegation for relations with the countries of South Asia, Ivan Štefanec (Christian democrats), member, committee on the internal market and consumer protection, and Sajjad Karim (United Kingdom conservative party), committee on international trade were also present at the meetings.

The delegation is scheduled to meet   Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Law Minister Anisul Huq, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia today, and  the press on Friday.