Dhaka: European Parliament Human Rights Subcommittee Chair Mounir Satouri has emphasized the necessity for Bangladesh to conduct free and fair elections in February 2026, highlighting that acceptance of the election results by all parties is crucial for maintaining political stability and strengthening democracy.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Satouri, in an interview during his visit to Dhaka, stressed that the integrity of the election results must be upheld by all stakeholders. He noted that this is a fundamental condition for ensuring stability in Bangladesh post-elections. Satouri also underscored the importance of separation of powers, judicial independence, civil space, and press freedom as essential elements for sustaining democracy and long-term stability.
Satouri remarked that the upcoming February elections would be a pivotal milestone in Bangladesh’s democratic journey. He expressed hope for collaboration with the forthcoming elected parliament, irrespective of the election outcome, emphasizing that political stability is vital for economic advancement and better living conditions.
Leading a delegation to Bangladesh, Satouri’s visit is part of the EU’s practice of dispatching fact-finding missions to partner countries ahead of significant political transitions. The delegation includes Isabel Wiseler-Lima from Luxembourg, Arkadiusz Mularczyk from Poland, Urmas Paet from Estonia, and Catarina Vieira from the Netherlands.
Satouri stated that Bangladesh was selected for this mission due to its critical point in democratic transition and the ongoing negotiations for a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) with the EU. He stressed that human rights, rule of law, and fundamental freedoms are integral to any EU agreement when strengthening ties with a third country.
Reflecting on the political transition since the July 2024 uprising, Satouri acknowledged the interim government’s measures that have made a tangible impact, yet warned that the process is not complete. He emphasized that broad consensus and implementation of reforms by the elected parliament could facilitate an optimal transition.
The delegation has engaged with various stakeholders, including civil society groups, trade unions, employers, political representatives, and government officials, and is scheduled to discuss constitutional reform with interim government leaders.
Satouri highlighted that the ongoing PCA negotiations aim to balance prosperity and human rights commitments, emphasizing that the agreement will have lasting implications. He stressed the importance of representing the concerns and interests of the population in these negotiations.
During his visit, Satouri also visited the Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar, acknowledging Bangladesh’s significant efforts in hosting over one million Rohingyas for eight years. He called for increased global burden-sharing and emphasized the EU’s commitment to maintaining funding for the Rohingya crisis, urging international support and seeking a political solution in Myanmar for safe repatriation.
Satouri expressed optimism that an upcoming high-level conference in New York on September 30 could mobilize global consensus for resolving the crisis. In Dhaka, the delegation met with Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain and paid a courtesy call on Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus.