On Thursday 31 October, the EU and Bangladesh pledged to work together to advance human rights and democratic governance in the Asian country, at the 11th meeting of the sub-group on good governance and human rights of the EU-Bangladesh Joint Commission, within the framework of their cooperation agreement.
Acknowledging the political transition that the country is currently undergoing, the EU welcomed the commitment of the interim government, led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, to push ahead with reforms and take the necessary steps to achieve a democratic Bangladesh, in particular through its accession to the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (ICPPED).
The two parties also paid tribute to the victims and survivors of this summer’s violent crackdown on demonstrators (see EUROPE 13464/15) and those involved in previous human rights violations.
The main discussions then focused on reforms to the justice sector, public administration and security, as well as labour rights and compliance with international standards for elections.
The EU also reiterated its gratitude to Bangladesh, which is hosting 1.2 million Rohingya refugees, as well as encouraging continued cooperation with UN bodies in the context of the country’s political transition. (Original version in French by Pauline Denys)