Dhaka / Brussels, 26 April 2018

Joint Press Release

EU-Bangladesh Sub Group on Governance and Human Rights

On 24 April 2018 in Dhaka, the European Union and Bangladesh held their biennial meeting of the Sub group on Good Governance and Human Rights in the framework of the EU-Bangladesh Cooperation Agreement (CA). Both sides reaffirmed the commitment to strengthen cooperation in the field of human rights on the basis of shared principles and internationally recognized human rights standards.

At the outset, the EU delegation expressed appreciation for the generous and humane role and action of the people and government of Bangladesh for hosting the Rohingya people fleeing violence in Myanmar. Bangladesh side requested the EU to continue providing political and other supports in returning the Rohingyas to Myanmar in safe, dignified and sustainable manner. The EU expressed its commitment to continue mobilizing political support and humanitarian assistance to help bring about a lasting solution to this crisis, including the safe, dignified and voluntary return of the Rohingyas.

There was an extensive and frank exchange in a constructive spirit on a number of issues of common interest. These included: the rule of law and the law enforcement, elections, human rights cooperation in the UN, rights of the persons belonging to minorities, freedom of expression and of the media, freedom of assembly, the death penalty, the situation of the Rohingyas, the implementation of Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord, women’s and children’s rights and rights of persons with disabilities, fundamental labour rights, trade unions’ registration and unfair labour practices.

This year marks the 70^th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which underpins the international system of human rights. Both sides subscribed to the importance of UN bodies and various mechanisms of the UN.

The issue to joining international treaties related to human rights and cooperating with the UN special procedures mandate holders was also discussed. Bangladesh reiterated its commitment to continue its engagements with the Human Rights Council, treaty bodies and other related UN mechanisms.

They discussed the preparation of the elections in Bangladesh. The EU expressed its expectations that Government of Bangladesh will ensure that the conditions for credible, transparent and inclusive elections will be in place. The Bangladesh side reiterated its commitment to provide all out support to the Election Commission in holding free, fair, and credible election.

The EU recalled the importance of strengthening rule of law and both sides underlined the contribution of the civil society to a functioning democracy.

The EU raised concerns on the situation of human rights, in particular reports of ‘extrajudicial killings’ and ‘enforced disappearances’. Bangladesh side in response reiterated its ‘zero tolerance’ policy to violation of laws and human rights by the law enforcing agencies and the government’s commitment and continued efforts to ensure accountability, including through the capacity building of the LEAs.

Both sides agreed to further enhance the promotion and protection of the rights of the persons belonging to minorities, ensuring non-discrimination in their exercise of political, economic, cultural and social rights.

The both sides also discussed the link between the overall governance framework and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. To this direction, the meeting acknowledged the government work and EU support on specific policies on public finance management and social protection as well as social security strategy.

Five years after the tragedy of the Rana Plaza collapse, the EU noted the progress made so far under the Sustainability Compact, notably on safety of working places, but urged that more needed to be done in terms of aligning Bangladesh labour legislation with international labour conventions and their implementation.

The EU underlined the urgency to address the alleged acts of violence and harassments against trade unionists and the trade union leaders, and investigate those. The EU called on Bangladesh to ensure proper implementation of labour law in respect of registration of trade unions and urged to bringing in line with the ILO Convention on freedom of association, its draft law on Export Processing Zones. The issues related to labour rights will be further addressed during the High Level Sustainability Compact meeting to be held in June 2018 in Brussels.

Both sides agreed to continue working together to address human rights challenges in the EU and Bangladesh. These issues will be further discussed at the EU-Bangladesh Joint Commission, to be held in Dhaka in first half of 2019.

The Bangladesh delegation was led by Muhammad Shahidul Haque, Senior Secretary, Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division, Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs and it included representatives from various ministries.  The EU delegation was led by Ms. Caroline Vinot, Head of Division, Regional Affairs and South Asia in the European External Action Service (EEAS).  Diplomats from several European Union Member States also attended the meeting as observers.

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