European Union hails Khaleda Zia’s release

The European Union on Friday welcomed the release of former Bangladesh prime minister Khaleda Zia from prison.

The EU, including through its Special Representative for Human Rights Eamon Gilmore, had consistently called for her release, according to an EU announcement.

With her health having severely deteriorated during her two years of imprisonment, the EU hoped that Khaleda Zia would now receive the necessary medical treatment.

‘The European Union reiterates its strong support to democracy, the rule of law, the promotion of human rights and the independence of judiciary in Bangladesh,’ it said.

The European Union also expressed its readiness to support Bangladesh facing challenges of the coronavirus outbreak.

Khaleda, also the chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, was released on March 25 on mainly two conditions — she would have to stay at her home and would not travel abroad.

She had been in jail since February 8, 2018, the day she was sentenced to imprisonment for five years by a Dhaka special court in a graft case, and was released from the prison cell of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University. (Source: New Age)