Dhaka: A German parliamentary delegation, led by Bundestag member Niklas Kappes, met with Bangladesh Parliament Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed Bir Bikram for a courtesy call at his office on Thursday. The delegation was comprised of Bundestag members Gerold Otten, Johann Saathoff, and Uhle Schaus, with German Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr. Rdiger Lotz also present.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Speaker Hafiz Uddin highlighted the longstanding friendly relations between Bangladesh and Germany, acknowledging Germany's support since Bangladesh's independence. He noted that Germany is the second-largest market for Bangladesh's exports within Europe. Despite Bangladesh's history of elections since 1937, Uddin expressed concerns over the country's democratic progress. He recounted Bangladesh's victory in the 1971 Liberation War, which was a fight for democratic rights, but lamented that the aspirations for democracy remained largely unfulfilled.
The Speaker criticized the Awami League government for undermining democracy and the people's voting rights with what he described as three consecutive 'farcical' elections. He recalled a mass uprising against acts of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and the controversial elections during authoritarian rule, stating that democracy was restored through a neutral and acceptable election process.
During the meeting, Speaker Uddin also highlighted the contributions of Begum Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh's first elected woman prime minister, to the political and economic empowerment of women. He informed the German delegates about the current representation of women in the Bangladesh Parliament, with six women MPs directly elected and 50 elected to reserved seats, emphasizing their high educational and professional achievements.
The discussion extended to topics of parliamentary diplomacy, with both parties considering the formation of a Bangladesh-Germany parliamentary friendship group. They also addressed the ongoing Rohingya crisis in Bangladesh. The Speaker assured the delegation that the Bangladeshi government is actively working to enhance freedom of expression and human rights to meet international standards.
The meeting was attended by representatives from the German Embassy and relevant officials from the Bangladesh Parliament Secretariat.