Strasbourg, 25/11/2002 (Agence Europe) - By approving a resolution tabled by five political groups last Thursday, the EP urged the European Commission to begin talks with the government of Bangladesh "in the framework of the co-operation agreement" between the EU and that country, "so as to ensure the end of violations and the respect of human rights". Parliament is concerned by the consequences of the "Pure Heart" Operation launched on 17 October by the authorities to, they say, "combat the increase in delinquency in the country", the EP notes: in the first 25 days, this campaign led to thousands of arrests and the death of 25 people, almost all when in detention, whereas the government claimed that it was a question of "cardiac arrests". While recognising the need to combat violence and crime, the EP is concerned at the deterioration of human rights in Bangladesh, and especially the situation of minorities, notably Hindu, and urges the authorities to set up a national committee on human rights without delay, with sufficient staff and whose powers should also cover the army.