European Parliament slams Bangladesh Govt. on human rights & calls for continuation of the Accord
Today the European Parliament passed a resolution calling on the Bangladesh Government to urgently act to address deteriorating human rights conditions. The resolution calls on the Government to address a multitude of human rights abuses such as the ongoing crackdown on freedom of expression and association, extra judicial killings, enforced disappearances, excessive use of force, anti-union discrimination and other labour rights abuses. Notably the Resolution takes a strong stance on the Transition Accord on Fire and Building Safety calling on the Bangladesh government to allow the work of the Accord to continue beyond November 2018. Currently, the Transition Accord is set to be expelled from Bangladesh on 30 November 2018. The resolution calls upon the European Commission to review the preferential trade status of Bangladesh, as the government of Bangladesh is violating the conditions set out by the Accord, the Sustainability Compact and the terms of their most favourable trade arrangement with the EU.