Although Washington and London have issued statements, which almost resemble that of ultra-Islamist Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its ideological ally Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) stating January 7 election in Bangladesh was not free and fair, European Union in its statement did not repeated such bogus claim, which already has rattled BNP and Jamaat as those Islamist and jihadist forces were expecting EU swallow their propaganda.
In a statement titled ‘Bangladesh: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the parliamentary elections’, issued on January 9, 2024, Council of the European Union said:
The European Union takes note of the outcome of the Parliamentary elections, which were held in Bangladesh last Sunday and reiterates that the long-term EU-Bangladesh partnership is underpinned by the values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law.
The EU regrets that not all major parties participated in this election.
The EU welcomes the agreement of the authorities to make public the upcoming report and recommendations of the EU Election Expert Mission. In the same spirit of transparency and accountability, we call upon the relevant authorities to ensure a timely and full investigation of all reported election irregularities.
The EU condemns the acts of violence that occurred during the electoral period and urges everybody to refrain from violence in the post-election period. It is also key that the rule of law, judicial independence, due process and the right to peaceful assembly are respected and upheld in this period and beyond. In this regard, detention of opposition figures is highly concerning.
The EU strongly encourages all stakeholders to respect political pluralism, democratic values and international human rights standards and to engage in peaceful dialogue. It is essential that the media, civil society and political parties can carry out their work without censorship or fear of reprisals.
The EU will continue to work with the Government of Bangladesh on the priorities that characterize our longstanding relations in the political, human rights, trade and development spheres including the country’s possible future access to the GSP+ preferential trade scheme.
As this statement is shared by the European Union representatives in Bangladesh on its official X (former Twitter) account, BNP-Jamaat leaders and activists began leaving comments expressing frustration.
BNP leader M Nasser Rahman, one of the key cohorts of convicted terrorist and BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman commented: “A very disappointing statement from the EU !! such generic statements are pointless and not helpful to the democratic aspirations of the people of Bangladesh. The statement did not target the one party sham election held without the main opposition, the extremely low turnout of the people, and the incredible scenario that there will be no opposition party in the parliament!! The last paragraph of looking forward to working with the mandateless illegal government was the last nail in the coffin of Bangladesh democracy and gave a lease of life to the premise of a one party state in the making!!”
Another BNP propagandist who falsely claims to be a human rights defender wrote: “I would like to say this statement shame for EU and I would like say EU Envoy Mr. @CWhiteleyEU didn’t sent right information to Mr. @JosepBorrellF and his senior colleagues or EU compromising to regime in Bangladesh. EU have been largest commitment about human rights and democracy. So, EU can’t use this kind of soft language about a false and fabricated election in Bangladesh. As we EU citizens afraid about this kind of statement”.
Imprisoned BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia’s former Deputy Press Secretary Maruf Kamal Khan wrote: “Basically, it is not an election by any definition. Uncontested unilateral and one-sided arrangements. Through this, pluralism has been abandoned and virtually one-party rule has been established in Bangladesh”.
