European Union (EU) has expressed concern over the current state of freedom of opinion and expression in Bangladesh.
“We are concerned about the recent killings of foreign nationals, bloggers in Bangladesh,” said Ugo Astuto, acting managing director of the Asia and Pacific Department of the European External Action Service, at a joint briefing of reporters after a meeting of his EU delegation with government high ups yesterday.
Md. Mejbahuddin, senior secretary of the ERD, and Ugo Astuto, acting managing director of the Asia and Pacific Department of the European External Action Service, co-chaired the daylong meeting at the National Economic Council’s conference room 2 at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the capital.
About the involvement of Islamic State (IS) in the recent killings in the country, Ugo Astuto did not make any direct comment.
He, however, said the matter is under investigation and that they don’t yet know about the result of the investigation.
“The government should ensure protection of the free thinkers and ensure freedom of expression,” he said.
Regarding the voice of civil society members in Bangladesh, Ugo Astuto said the government should ensure their right to freedom of opinion and expression as well.