VP/HR — Attacks on the LGBTI community in Bangladesh

2.5.2016

Question for written answer E-003710-16
to the Commission (Vice-President/High Representative)
Rule 130
Neena Gill (S&D) , Mary Honeyball (S&D) , Julie Ward (S&D) , Agnes Jongerius (S&D) , Ana Gomes (S&D) , Tanja Fajon (S&D) , Brando Benifei (S&D) , Jude Kirton-Darling (S&D) , Catherine Stihler (S&D) , Richard Howitt (S&D)

On 25 April, Xulhaz Mannan, editor of an LGBTI publication in Bangladesh, and fellow activist Mahbub Tonoy were brutally killed. These murders follow two other killings of activists this month, and indicate a further deterioration of the extremely volatile security situation in Bangladesh.

The murders of Mr Mannan and Mr Tonoy occurred against a background of criminalisation of the LGBTI community by Bangladeshi authorities, which have failed to ensure protection of LGBTI people and have resorted to shifting the blame onto LGBTI activists, stating that they should be ‘less provocative’. It is reported that Bangladeshi activists have been forced into exile because of frequent threats.

1. What action has the EEAS taken to follow up the November 2015 resolution on freedom of expression in Bangladesh?

2. What steps does the EEAS intend to take to ensure that Bangladeshi authorities implement their legal responsibility to protect the right to life with regard to the LGBTI community, and to ensure that the perpetrators of recent attacks and other violent groups are brought to justice?

3. What steps does the EEAS intend to take to urge Bangladeshi authorities to revise the Penal Code in order to bring an end to the criminalisation of homosexual relations?