EU asks Dhaka to deal with terror, ensure rights

A powerful group of the European Union today said Bangladesh was faced with a formidable challenge of terrorism and urged the government to punish terrorists for their crimes as also ensuring human rights of minorities.

“It is important that the terrorists be brought to trial and convicted of their crimes. It is equally important that the fight against terrorism be conducted in full respect to the principles of human rights and democracy,” Nikolaus Scherk, the leader of the European Union ‘troika’ said in a statement.

Expressing serious concern over human-right situation in Bangladesh, Scherk said they are particularly concerned at the situation of several minority groups and the prospect that “violence against them may intensify in the pre-election periods.”

His comments came after the troika delegation’s hectic parleys in the country, which will end tomorrow. The delegation called for establishing an independent national human rights commission within this year in line with agreed UN standards.