European and international civil society organisations have voiced deep concern over the recent arrest of former Bangladesh parliament speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury.
In this regard, they have sent a formal letter to the high representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the president of the European Parliament, and the president of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA).
In the letter sent on April 7, the organisations highlighted the widespread public concern surrounding the circumstances of the arrest, said a press release issued by Paulo Casaca, former member of European Parliament and executive director of South Asia Democratic Forum (SADF).
The signatory groups alleged that although the arrest was made in connection with a serious criminal allegation, it has raised serious questions regarding possible political motivation, a lack of procedural transparency, and the selective application of justice.
The organisations noted that the allegations regarding the treatment of Shirin Sharmin while in police custody are also a matter of serious concern. “If proven true, these allegations would constitute a grave violation of fundamental human rights and international legal standards.”
Shirin Sharmin served as chair of the Executive Committee of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association from 2014 to 2017.
In the letter, the organisations stressed that the arrest of a former parliamentary speaker under controversial circumstances calls into question the very foundations of democratic norms and constitutional values.
They warned that legal actions perceived as lacking transparency or driven by retaliation could seriously undermine public confidence in democratic institutions and the rule of law.
In this context, the letter requested the European Union and the CPA to use diplomatic engagement and appropriate institutional channels to call for ensuring a transparent, impartial, and accountable legal process, protection of parliamentary institutions from political interference, and respect for democratic pluralism, civil liberties, and the personal safety of individuals in custody.
The letter was jointly submitted by the South Asia Democratic Forum (Belgium), European Bangladesh Forum (EU and Great Britain), Working Group Bangladesh in Germany, the Earth Civilization Network, and the Freedom and Justice Alliance.
The signatories urged that the issue be given the highest priority in ongoing dialogue and engagement with Bangladesh.
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