EU welcomes Khaleda Zia’s release

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Bangla Tribune Desk
Published : 19:08, Mar 27, 2020 | Updated : 19:08, Mar 27, 2020

File Photo: BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, assisted by her sister Selima Rahman, younger brother Shamim Eskander and his wife Kaniz Fatema, comes out of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) on Wednesday, Mar 25, 2020. Mahmud Hossain OpuThe European Union (EU) has welcomed the release of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and reiterated it's support for the rule of law and democracy in Bangladesh.

"The European Union welcomes the release of Begum Khaleda Zia, Chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and former Prime Minister of Bangladesh on Mar 25," said a statement issued by Virginie Battu-Henriksson, the spokesperson for foreign affairs and security policy, on Friday (Mar 27).

"The EU, including through its Special Representative for Human Rights, Eamon Gilmore, had consistently called for her release," it said.

"With her health having severely deteriorated during her two years of imprisonment, we hope that Begum Khaleda Zia will now receive the necessary medical treatment," it added.

The statement further said: "The European Union reiterates its strong support to democracy, the rule of law, the promotion of human rights and the independence of the judiciary in Bangladesh."

"The European Union stands ready to support Bangladesh as it deals with the challenges of the coronavirus outbreak," it said.

Earlier on Wednesday (Mar 25), the government vide an executive order released Khaleda Zia for six months on condition that she would stay at home, amid the coronavirus outbreak in the country.

The 74-year-old BNP chief is serving a 17-year prison term in two graft cases since Feb 8, 2018.

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