A five-member BNP delegation on Wednesday held a meeting with representatives of the European Parliament at the European Union (EU) office and discussed various issues related to the next national election and the democratic transition in Bangladesh.
BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan led the delegation during the hour-long meeting, which began at 4:30 pm at the EU Embassy in the capital’s Gulshan area.
The other members of the BNP delegation included its Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, BNP Acting Chairman’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir, BNP International Affairs Secretary Barrister Nasir Uddin Asim, and Organising Secretary Shama Obaed.
Mounir Satouri (Greens/EFA, France) led the European Parliamentary delegation. The other members of the delegation were Isabel Wiseler-Lima (EPP, Luxembourg), Arkadiusz Mularczyk (ECR, Poland), Urmas Paet (Renew Europe, Estonia), and Catarina Vieira (Greens/EFA, Netherlands).
Talking to reporters after the meeting, BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan said the discussions mainly focused on Bangladesh’s upcoming national election, due in February next year, and the country’s democratic transition.
“The European Parliament delegation expressed hope that Bangladesh will soon return to a democratic order through a free and fair election. They want to see democracy restored here as quickly as possible, and we also want that,” he said.
The BNP leader said they urged the EU to continue its support in strengthening democracy in Bangladesh as well as to boost trade and economic ties.
“We have always received the support of the European Union in both Bangladesh’s development and the establishment of democracy. They have continued this support,” he said.
Nazrul said they requested the EU to expand its cooperation in trade alongside supporting the consolidation of democracy, and the EU leaders agreed and expressed interest in doing so.
“We hope that the aspirations for democracy — for which the people of Bangladesh have struggled for the past 16 years, facing enforced disappearances, killings, and various forms of repression, especially the extreme oppression during July and August — will soon be realised,” he said.
The BNP leader said they believe the election would be held in February as per the announcement of the interim government, and through that election, the people’s long-cherished dream of restoring democracy would finally come true.
Amir Khosru echoed Nazrul, saying the European Union expects Bangladesh to return to democracy as quickly as possible.
“The European Union and the European Parliament are satisfied that Bangladesh is moving towards the polls. They want Bangladesh to follow the path of democracy very soon and to return through a transitional process to a democratic system… we discussed this matter,” he said.
The BNP leader said their talks also covered the steps BNP would take in the coming days, the role the EU might play, and the role of other political parties.
Khosru also said people worldwide who believe in democracy, including the European Union--wish for Bangladesh to return to a democratic order without delay. “For that reason, the EU wants to work, and if we all work together to achieve this soon, it will be good for the country and good for democracy.”
Replying to a question on proportional representation (PR) system raised by Jamaat-e-Islami, Nazrul said the matter was not discussed in detail during the meeting.
“There is no question of specifically discussing these issues. Proportional representation is not a subject of discussion now because, even if you agree, this election will not be held under PR. That can only happen after a constitutional amendment. So, our discussion was about the upcoming election. What will happen after this election or in future elections is not on the table for discussion,” he said.
On the question of PR, Amir Khosru said the EU leaders understood through the discussion that even if anyone wanted PR, it would have to be passed in parliament with the people’s mandate.
He said a few political parties sitting around the discussion table cannot make this decision on behalf of the people. “It can only happen after the next election if the people want it. If they don’t, it won’t happen. This is something for the future.”
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Asked about some political parties’ street programmes demanding PR, Nazrul said that as they long waged movements together, they don’t want to speak against each other.
He, however, said raising such a new demand just before the election was unnecessary and hoped those involved with it would understand what to do and cooperate to ensure a fair upcoming election.
Khosru said the people of Bangladesh did not ask any political party to decide on this matter. “If any political party wished to pursue PR, they would have to take it to the people in the next election and then come to parliament with their mandate.”