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B7-0541/2013
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MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Bangladesh: human rights and forthcoming elections

19.11.2013 - (2013/2951(RSP))

with request for inclusion in the agenda for a debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law
pursuant to Rule 122 of the Rules of Procedure

Phil Bennion, Louis Michel, Marietje Schaake, Sarah Ludford, Charles Goerens, Robert Rochefort, Izaskun Bilbao Barandica, Jelko Kacin, Marielle de Sarnez, Hannu Takkula, Johannes Cornelis van Baalen, Ramon Tremosa i Balcells on behalf of the ALDE Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0497/2013

Procedūra : 2013/2951(RSP)
Dokumenta lietošanas cikls sēdē
Dokumenta lietošanas cikls :  
B7-0541/2013
Iesniegtie teksti :
B7-0541/2013
Pieņemtie teksti :

B7‑0541/2013

European Parliament resolution on Bangladesh: human rights and forthcoming elections

(2013/2951(RSP))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to its previous resolutions on Bangladesh, in particular those of 17 January 2013, 3rd March 2013, 6 September 2007 and 10 July 2008;

– having regard to the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act passed by the Bangladeshi parliament in 1973 “to provide for the detention, prosecution and punishment of persons for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and other crimes under international law.”

– having regard to the Cooperation Agreement between the European Community and the People’s Republic of Bangladesh on Partnership and Development;

– having regard to the statement by the spokesperson of High Representative Catherine Ashton of 22 January 2013 and 2nd March 2013;

– having regard to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights;

– having regard to Rule 122 of its Rules of Procedure;

A.  Whereas one of the largest mass trials in history has concluded with 152 soldiers being sentenced to death in Bangladesh for revolting against their officers in 2009.

B.  Whereas Human rights groups have voiced serious concerns that 846 people were tried together.

C.  Whereas thousands of BDR personnel were detained because of their alleged role in the mutiny with hundreds suffering brutal torture and many denied the assistance of a lawyer for weeks or months.

D. Whereas Amnesty International has documented some of the torture methods described by detained BDR suspects, including sleep deprivation for days on end, beatings, the use of pliers to crush testicles, the insertion of needles under the nails and electric shocks.

E.  Whereas 47 of the accused are reported to have died in custody.

F.  Whereas torture and other ill-treatment are widespread in Bangladesh and committed with virtual impunity by all security agencies - the police, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and the army - acting alone or together.

G. Whereas the death penalty is the ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment and has not been proven to be a deterrent to crime.

H. Whereas according to a number of NGO's, such as the Asian Legal Resource Centre (ALRC), Bangladesh is failing to adequately commit to the protection, promotion and fulfillment of the human rights of its citizens.

I.   Whereas there is evidence that extrajudicial executions are continuing in Bangladesh, while the perpetrators have not been investigated independently nor brought to justice so far.

 

J.   Whereas Bangladesh's cabinet ministers have tendered their resignations to pave the way for an all-party government to oversee general elections.

K.  Whereas a total of 26 people have died in violence linked to the political turmoil since October 25 2013

BDR Mutiny trials

1.  Deplores in the strongest terms the recent mass trial of 846 people involved in the 2009 mutiny and in particular the death sentence handed down to 152 defendants.

2.  Reiterates its strong opposition against the use of the death penalty in all cases and under any circumstances and its call on the Bangladesh authorities to commute all death sentences and introduce a moratorium on executions as a first step towards abolition of capital punishment;

3.  Asks the HR/VP to urgently condemn the torture, outrageous mass trial and the verdicts given to soldiers regarding the 2009 Border Guards rebellion, whereby 152 people have now been sentenced to death - and another 157 to life in prison.

4. Urges the Bangladeshi authorities to ensure that all allegations of torture, ill-treatment and denial of legal assistance are impartially investigated, and that those found responsible brought to justice.

5. Calls on the EU External Action Service (EEAS) or the HR/VP herself to raise the death sentences handed down in the case of the 2009 mutiny at the highest levels of the Bangladeshi government.

ICT trials

6.  Deplores that no action has been taken with regard to reported irregularities in the functioning of the ICT, such as alleged intimidation and harassment of witnesses and indications of prohibited cooperation between judges, prosecutors and the government.

7.  Calls on Bangladesh to overturn the death sentence against Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury and all others sentenced to death by the ICT: believes the death penalty is the ultimate cruel and inhuman punishment and can never be a way to deliver justice

8.  Calls on the HR/VP to strongly protest to the Bangladeshi government regarding their ongoing use of the death penalty and calls for immediate penalties to be drawn up if the Bangladeshi government continues to flout the wishes of the EU and international community.

The General Human Rights Situation

9. Regrets that over the past year the Bangladeshi government risks appearing to have been motivated primarily by political revenge and political score settling rather than seeking justice for victims in the various cases that have been filed.

10. Reiterates calls on the Government of Bangladesh to carry out an impartial and independent investigation into reports of torture, abductions and enforced disappearances and to ensure that police and other security agencies fully co-operate with the investigation.

11. Urges the Government of Bangladesh to ensure that all journalists and editors are free to express their views and opinion peacefully without being harassed, intimidated, detained or tortured.

12. Calls on the Bangladeshi Government and judiciary authorities to respect and guarantee the fundamental human rights of its citizens.

13. Expresses the need for reform of the criminal justice system in Bangladesh, in order to deliver effective justice, free from political interference, discriminatory practices and corruption.

Forthcoming elections

14. Calls for the formation of a neutral and impartial transitional government that has the confidence of all political parties and the international community.

15. Calls for the national reconciliation and dialogue between all political parties;

16. Calls for a peaceful electioneering which will lead to a free and fair general elections.

17. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the EU Council, the European Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the UN OHCHR and the governments and parliaments of Bangladesh and Pakistan.