Party leaders urge European Parliament support as concerns grow over arrests and political repression in Bangladesh….reports Asian Lite News Desk
A delegation of former lawmakers and leaders from Bangladesh’s Awami League has sought support from the European Parliament to help lift sanctions imposed on the party and raise concerns over what it describes as growing political repression in the country.
According to local media reports, the delegation met Irish Member of the European Parliament Billy Kelleher on Monday in Ireland, where discussions focused on the political situation in Bangladesh, human rights concerns and the future of democratic participation in the country.
During the meeting, the Awami League representatives called for international cooperation to help restore what they described as a fair democratic environment and improved human rights conditions in Bangladesh.
The delegation included former Awami League MP Md Habibe Millat, Ireland Chhatra League President Noman Chowdhury, Ireland Awami League leader Rafiq Khan and Radin Khan, chairman of the student wing of Ireland’s Fianna Fail party. Kelleher, a former Irish minister and current member of the European Parliament, also attended the meeting.
The Awami League leaders urged the European Parliament to support efforts aimed at lifting sanctions on the party and securing bail for ministers, former MPs and activists who have been detained in cases they allege are politically motivated.
Millat briefed Kelleher on a range of issues, including the country’s law and order situation, attacks on police personnel, incidents of mob violence, alleged human rights violations, rising militancy and concerns over what he described as a culture of impunity.
According to reports, Kelleher acknowledged the concerns raised during the meeting and expressed interest in bringing the issues before the European Parliament. He also indicated that diplomatic channels could be used to discuss the concerns with the Bangladeshi government.
The meeting comes as pressure on Awami League leaders and supporters continues to intensify across Bangladesh following a series of arrests and legal actions targeting party members.
Separately, France based human rights organisation Justice Makers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) issued a strong statement condemning what it called arbitrary mass arrests, politically motivated prosecutions and judicial harassment against Awami League leaders and activists.
The organisation alleged that more than 300 leaders and supporters of the party had been arrested during the first week of June under Bangladesh’s Anti Terrorism Act and other laws.
JMBF claimed that many of those detained were targeted for participating in peaceful political activities, including rallies, public assemblies and political expression protected under the country’s constitution.
The rights group said the arrests represented a serious threat to democratic principles, the rule of law and fundamental human rights.
“These measures are not merely isolated law and order actions; rather, they form part of a systematic campaign of repression aimed at suppressing political opposition, intimidating dissenting voices, and restricting democratic political activities,” the organisation said in its statement.
Citing media reports and its own sources, JMBF stated that at least 333 leaders, activists and supporters of the Awami League and its affiliated organisations were arrested between June 1 and June 7 in operations carried out across different parts of the country.
The organisation called on the United Nations, the European Union, international human rights groups and diplomatic missions to closely monitor developments in Bangladesh and take steps to safeguard fundamental rights, including freedom of expression and political participation.
The latest appeals to European institutions highlight growing international attention on Bangladesh’s political climate as concerns over arrests, legal proceedings and restrictions on opposition activities continue to draw scrutiny from rights groups and political observers.
