European Parliament Member Strongly Criticises “Unconstitutional, Coercive Authoritarian Rule” in Bangladesh at Geneva Human Rights Seminar

“A totalitarian political environment has been created in Bangladesh,” said former member of the European Parliament Paolo Casaca at an international human rights seminar in Geneva, Switzerland.

Aynal Karigor

At an international seminar organized by the international human rights organization ‘Global Center for Democratic Governance’ (GCDG), former Member of the European Parliament (MEP), prominent Portuguese politician, and Executive Director of the South Asia Democratic Forum (SADF), Paulo Casaca expressed strong anger over the current political situation, human rights, and governance in Bangladesh.

In this special international seminar, he clearly stated, “An unconstitutional and coercive authoritarian political environment has been created in Bangladesh, which is taking on a totalitarian form day by day. Where the fundamental rights and freedom of speech of citizens have been curtailed.”

Bangladesh Awami League President Sheikh Hasina delivered a speech at this international seminar via audio and virtual connections and answered various questions from international researchers and human rights activists present at the event.

Key points raised by Paulo Casaca in the seminar

Expressing concern over human rights violations and extremism, Paulo Casaca said that in recent times, there has been an alarming increase in the number of cases of fundamental human rights violations in the country. In particular, there is a systematic persecution and attacks against political dissidents and minority communities.

Expressing concern over the abuse of the judicial system and authoritarian practices, Kasaka said that a naked attempt is being made to crush political opponents through a purposeful and organized judicial structure in the name of the tribunal.

In a strong criticism of this, he said that democracy completely collapses if the rule of law and constitutional framework are not maintained.

Urgent constitutional rule and fair elections: Terming the current regime as ‘totalitarian and autocratic’, he strongly demanded the prompt restoration of constitutional rule in Bangladesh and ensuring political stability through an inclusive democratic process.

Sheikh Hasina’s international reaction and Bangladeshi thoughts

Directly participating in the seminar, Awami League President Sheikh Hasina presented the picture of the establishment of the rule of law, food self-sufficiency and economic progress in the country during her government. At the same time, she called for international monitoring and impartial legal oversight to respond to the political drama in the name of purposeful investigation and trial going on in the country.

According to diplomatic analysts, the direct stance of a global figure like Paulo Casaca, who has long worked for the spirit of the Liberation War and international recognition of the genocide, reveals that the heinous activities and political irregularities of the current coercive BNP government have been fully exposed in the international arena.