Brussels, 27/04/2015 (Agence Europe) - On 24 April, the European Union called on all sides to refrain from any actions that could spark further violence in Bangladesh in the run up to the vote for the mayoral elections in Dhaka and Chittagong, due to take place this Tuesday. The country has been facing violence for several months and over 120 people have been killed, with hundreds being injured.
“All the political actors should take concrete steps to end violence, de-escalate tensions and engage in a constructive manner, for the long-term stability and democratic development of Bangladesh”, said the spokesperson for High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini in a press release. The spokesperson underlined that the EU looked to political leaders to create “favourable conditions for peaceful, inclusive, transparent and credible elections to take place”. “Voters must be given the opportunity to express freely their democratic choice”, Mogherini's spokesperson added.
The head of the main political party has already threatened reprisals if the elections are not conducted fairly. (Camille-Cerise Gessant)