Restore media freedom: EP

Expressing deep concern at the recurring cases of ethnic and religiously motivated violence, the European Parliament (EP) yesterday urged the government to offer sufficient protection and guarantees to minorities such as Shia Muslims, Ahmadiyya, Hindus, Buddhists, Christians and Biharis. A non-binding resolution adopted yesterday by EP called upon the government and religious organisations and their leaders to embark on a process of  reconciliation and urged to work towards bringing to justice the perpetrators of this kind of violence. The resolution was adopted by 586 votes to 31, with 25 abstentions. It condemned the increasing attacks of Islamist extremists against secularist writers, bloggers, religious minorities and foreign aid workers
The resolution titled ‘freedom of expression in Bangladesh’ called upon the authorities to further condemn the ongoing horrendous acts against freedom of expression and to act to bring an immediate end to all acts of violence, harassment, intimidation and censorship against journalists, bloggers and civil society.
It urged the authorities to restore the full independence of the media, to drop all charges against publishers and journalists who have published content critical of the government, to allow the immediate re-opening of all media houses which were closed, and to restore immediately full and unhindered access to all forms of publications, including electronic ones. It expressed its deepest concern at the deteriorating climate regarding the right to freedom of expression which has accompanied the rise of religious fundamentalism, intolerance and extremist violence in Bangladesh.
The authorities were urged to strengthen their efforts to improve the protection provided to activists and journalists by the authorities. The Members of EP in the resolution called upon all political parties and their leaders to unequivocally and unreservedly condemn the extremist violence and to support the right to freedom of expression.
It reminded the competent authorities of their national and international legal obligations, including their responsibility to ensure the security and safety of all citizens, irrespective of their political or religious views, and to guarantee that the freedoms of expression and the press can be exercised without arbitrary limitations and censorship in the country. The resolution called for ensuring that independent investigations are carried out and explanations are given with respect to the disappearance of members of opposition parties over the last few years, particularly in the months leading up to and subsequent to the January 2014 elections.

Restore media freedom: EP

Expressing deep concern at the recurring cases of ethnic and religiously motivated violence, the European Parliament (EP) yesterday urged the government to offer sufficient protection and guarantees to minorities such as Shia Muslims, Ahmadiyya, Hindus, Buddhists, Christians and Biharis. A non-binding resolution adopted yesterday by EP called upon the government and religious organisations and their leaders to embark on a process of reconciliation and urged to work towards bringing to justice the perpetrators of this kind of violence. The resolution was adopted by 586 votes to 31, with 25 abstentions. It condemned the increasing attacks of Islamist extremists against secularist writers, bloggers, religious minorities and foreign aid workers The resolution titled freedom of expression in Bangladesh called upon the authorities to further condemn the ongoing horrendous acts against freedom of expression and to act to bring an immediate end to all acts of violence, harassment, intimidation and censorship against journalists, bloggers and civil society. It urged the authorities to restore the full independence of the media, to drop all charges against publishers and journalists who have published content critical of the government, to allow the immediate re-opening of all media houses which were closed, and to restore immediately full and unhindered access to all forms of publications, including electronic ones. It expressed its deepest concern at the deteriorating climate regarding the right to freedom of expression which has accompanied the rise of religious fundamentalism, intolerance and extremist violence in Bangladesh. The authorities were urged to strengthen their efforts to improve the protection provided to activists and journalists by the authorities. The Members of EP in the resolution called upon all political parties and their leaders to unequivocally and unreservedly condemn the extremist violence and to support the right to freedom of expression. It reminded the competent authorities of their national and international legal obligations, including their responsibility to ensure the security and safety of all citizens, irrespective of their political or religious views, and to guarantee that the freedoms of expression and the press can be exercised without arbitrary limitations and censorship in the country. The resolution called for ensuring that independent investigations are carried out and explanations are given with respect to the disappearance of members of opposition parties over the last few years, particularly in the months leading up to and subsequent to the January 2014 elections.