Bangladesh Govt livid over EU Parliament’s biased decision on BNP-linked political group ‘Odhikar’

Bangladesh authorities on Thursday expressed “utter disappointment” on the adoption of a European Parliament’s decision on “Human Rights situation in Bangladesh, notably the case of Odhikar”. 

According to the Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the timing and language of the joint movement put by the European Parliament on two ‘Odhikar’ officers delivered at this time in Dhaka mirrored their intention to intervene into the unbiased judiciary of the state. 
Odhikar is among the main human rights organizations in Bangladesh, working since 1994. It is a member of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH).

“The timing and language of the joint motion, tabled by some political groups in the European Parliament, for making judgemental comments over sub-judice matters and a court verdict on two ‘Odhikar’ officials delivered today in Dhaka is reflective of their intention of interfering into the independent judiciary of a sovereign state, the statement said.” 

However, Bangladesh ensures open and honest judicial proceedings and that the rights of the events are revered. 

“The independent judiciary of Bangladesh continues to ensure that judicial proceedings are conducted openly and fairly, and that the rights of the parties are fully respected.”

“Bangladesh judiciary decides matters before them based on evidence and in accordance with the law, without any restrictions, influences, inducements, pressures, threats or interferences, direct or indirect, from any quarter or for any reason,” the assertion added. 

Underscoring ‘Odhikar’ as a non-compliant and politically biased entity, the assertion stated that the Bangladesh authorities is appaled by the favouritism within the European Parliament’s decision to Odhikar’. 

“The Government of Bangladesh is appalled by the favoritism, reflected in the European Parliament’s resolution, to ‘Odhikar’ – a non-compliant and politically biased entity with a proven record of circulating misinformation, and an accomplice of vested quarters that promote terrorism and violent extremism,” the assertion stated. 

It additional said that Odhikar is just not an unbiased group that it tries to say and is sadly believed by some within the worldwide group. 

“It’s a fact known to all that Adilur Rahman Khan, Secretary of ‘Odhikar’, was appointed Deputy Attorney General by BNP-Jamaat Government and worked in that capacity for five years from 2001 to 2006. Therefore, ‘Odhikar’ is not at all a neutral or independent organization that it tries to claim and is unfortunately believed by some in the international community,” the assertion added. 

According to the assertion by the Foreign Affairs Ministry, “To support and promote an organization like ‘Odhikar’ in the name of upholding civic and democratic space is tantamount to the adoption of a totally subjective, selective, and partisan approach and is a clear manifestation of double standard by those who speak of defending human rights of the victims on one hand and make exposed and imposing attempts to protect the alleged violator on the other.”

However, the Bangladesh authorities disagreed to the textual content of their decision. 

Moreover, Bangladesh deeply values its 50-year-long rising partnership with the European Union and all its establishments together with the European Parliament. 

It additional expects the identical to proceed by means of significant engagement primarily based on the ideas of mutual respect and non-interference in one another’s inside affairs, in keeping with the assertion.

(This information report is revealed from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content material has not been written or edited by OpIndia employees)