Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 January 2024
127. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he considers the recent parliamentary elections in Bangladesh to have been free and fair; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3858/24]
View answerI note the outcome of the parliamentary elections in Bangladesh on 7 January, which saw a resounding victory for the ruling Awami League party.
I fully support the EU statement of 9 January regarding the elections, which reiterates that the EU-Bangladesh partnership is underpinned by the values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. I join with EU partners in regretting that not all major parties participated in the elections, in condemning the violence witnessed during the election period and expressing concern about the detention of opposition leaders.
I look forward to the upcoming report and recommendations from the EU Election Expert Mission. I welcome the Bangladeshi authorities’ decision to make this report public and I urge them to ensure full investigation of any reported irregularities.
Ireland has consistently engaged with Bangladesh on matters concerning the democratic process, both bilaterally and multilaterally.
At an EU level, political issues are regularly raised with Bangladesh, including via the EU Delegation in Dhaka and within the framework of the EU-Bangladesh Joint Commission. During the most recent meeting of this Joint Commission in May 2022, political developments were discussed with a focus on the democracy, rule of law and good governance situation in the country, and the importance of holding free and fair elections was emphasised.
In the context of our bilateral relationship, Ireland's Embassy in New Delhi, which is accredited to Bangladesh, continues to closely monitor the political situation in-country.
