DISAPPEARANCES IN BANGLADESH

Early day motion 905, tabled 23 March 2015 by Julian Huppert (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 23 members.

That this House notes with alarm the lack of a free and open democratic process in Bangladesh, and in particular the recent disappearance of Salah Uddin Ahmed, spokesperson and joint-secretary of the opposition Bangladesh National Party (BNP); further notes that there have been many other disappearances, including that of BNP leader Elias Ali in 2012, who has still not been located; further notes that Human Rights Watch has said that the Bangladesh government has a history of failing to investigate the enforced disappearance of opposition members; further notes that there are repeated allegations of extrajudicial killings by the Bangladeshi authorities, especially by the Rapid Action Battalion; and calls on the Government to put pressure on the Bangladesh government to ensure that free and fair elections take place promptly in Bangladesh, that disappearances and extra-judicial killings are ended and that freedom of expression is protected in Bangladesh.

Signatures by party: Labour 9, Liberal Democrat 5, Social Democratic and Labour Party 3, Conservative 2, DUP 1, Independent 1, Plaid Cymru 1, Respect 1.