Brussels, 26/11/2015 (Agence Europe) - In a resolution adopted on Thursday 26 November (586 votes to 31, with 25 abstentions), the European Parliament called on the Bangladesh authorities to restore the full independence of the media.
Condemning the increasing attacks by Islamist extremists on secularist writers, bloggers, religious minorities and foreign aid workers, Parliament calls on the authorities to “act to bring an immediate end to all acts of violence, harassment, intimidation and censorship against journalists, bloggers and civil society”.
MEPs also urge the Bangladesh government and religious organisations and their leaders to embark on a process of reconciliation, and entreat the government to offer sufficient protection and guarantees to religious minorities. They also ask the Bangladesh government to allow international NGOs in the country to undertake their missions and to ensure that all human rights and civil society groups are able to work in a climate free of fear and repression. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)