EU for probing deaths of ‘criminal suspects’

The European Union (EU) Delegation in Dhaka today urged the authorities concerned to investigate all incidents involving the deaths of alleged criminal suspects in Bangladesh with due processes.

"We expect the authorities to ensure that all incidents involving the deaths of alleged criminal suspects are investigated fully and in accordance with due processes," the EU Delegation said in the statement.

The statement was issued in agreement with the EU Heads of Mission in Bangladesh while the Head of Mission of Norway associated herself with this local EU statement, the statement read.

The signatories of the statement are Ambassador, Delegation of the European Union Rensje Teerink, Italian Ambassador Italy Mario Palma, German Ambassador Dr Thomas Heinrich Prinz, Dutch Leoni Cuelenaere, British High Commissioner Alison Blake, Danish Ambassador Mikael Hemniti Winther, Spanish Ambassador D Alvaro de Salas Gimanez de Azcarate, Swedish Ambassadorn Charlotta Schlyter, France Ambassador Marie-Annick Bourdin and Norwegian Ambassador Sidsel Bleken.

"Drug abuse and illicit trafficking is a global problem. The high level of casualties and reports of the use of excessive force in the drive against narcotics, however, is reported to have resulted in over 120 deaths since 4 May," it said.

The EU also said Bangladesh has committed to uphold the rule of law and ensure that all law enforcement actions are carried out in accordance with the law and in adherence to international standards and norms, including with appropriate safeguards over the use of force.