Strasbourg, 18/09/2014 (Agence Europe) - In adopting a common resolution on Thursday 18 September, the European Parliament calls on Bangladesh to ensure the application of labour laws and its compliance with International Labour Organisation standards.
MEPs also want the Donor Trust Fund mechanism, created by the Rana Plaza Coordination Committee to help victims and survivors following the Rana plaza factory collapse in 2013, to be made mandatory, as voluntary company donations have only reached USD 17 million of the USD 40 million needed. In the same resolution, Parliament calls for an end to human rights violations by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), an emergency force created 10 years ago comprising both military and police officers, and urges the Bangladeshi authorities to put an end to RAB's impunity. Parliament calls on the government immediately to respect human rights, including minority rights and freedom of the press and media. (CG)