Brussels, 02/04/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 1 April, the European Union condemned the murder of bloggers Washiqur Rahman and Avijit Roy in Bangladesh, describing it as “an attack on free speech and democracy”. Avijit Roy was murdered on 26 February and Washiqur Rahman on 30 March, both as a result of machete attacks, in Dhaka.
“Government authorities, political parties and civil society should stand together against the actions of violent extremists in Bangladesh. The perpetrators of these murders must be swiftly brought to justice”, the high representative stressed in a statement.
She reiterated that the freedom of expression is recognised as a human right by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Bangladesh is a party. “The EU reiterates its deep commitment to freedom of expression and freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief. Tolerance and dialogue are essential elements of a democratic society”, she added. (Camille-Cerise Gessant)