Declaration by the Presidency

on behalf of the European Union

on Bangladesh

The European Union is very concerned that the long political crisis in Bangladesh is continuing and is increasingly accompanied by violence. This is clearly having a cumulative negative impact on the lives of the population and also on the economy and on the prospects for development.

The European Union regrets that the boycott of the elections by the opposition parties and actions by supporters of the ruling party resulted in flaws in the administration of the 15 February elections. It notes with concern the detention of opposition political leaders under the Special Powers Act. It urges all sides to show restraint and to enter into a constructive dialogue to seek an early political solution.