Bangladesh: From Brussels, an Urgent Appeal to the European Union to Defend Human Rights and Demand Genuinely Inclusive Elections

BRUXELLES KORNER | INTERNATIONAL POLITICS | 22 OCTOBER 2026

Bangladesh: From Brussels, an Urgent Appeal to the European Union to Defend Human Rights and Demand Genuinely Inclusive Elections

A delegation representing members of the Bangladeshi community in Belgium has called on European institutions to address the political and security situation in Bangladesh. In an interview with Bruxelles Korner, Rashid Bazlur Bulu, President of Bangladesh Community Europe and the Belgium Awami League, denounces violence targeting political opponents, challenges the legitimacy of the February 2026 electoral process, and urges Europe to exert diplomatic pressure on Dhaka.

By Kadir Duran — Bruxelles Korner

Bangladesh: Democracy at Risk as a Cry for Help Reaches Europe from Brussels

“If I return to my country, they will kill me”: the chilling warning from Rashid Bazlur Bulu, President of Bangladesh Community Europe.

Amid allegations of political violence and the exclusion of the Awami League from the electoral process, part of the Bangladeshi diaspora is calling on the European Union to intervene and demand free, fair, and inclusive elections.

A Mobilisation in the Heart of Brussels to Appeal to Europe

Brussels, the political capital of the European Union, has become a rallying point for members of the Bangladeshi diaspora concerned about political developments in their country of origin.

On 22 October 2026, representatives of the Bangladeshi community approached the European External Action Service (EEAS), the European Union's diplomatic service, to raise concerns about alleged violations of fundamental rights, political violence, and restrictions imposed on certain opposition groups in Bangladesh.

According to Rashid Bazlur Bulu, President of Bangladesh Community Europe and the Belgium Awami League, a meeting had been scheduled for 10 a.m. with EEAS officials responsible for Bangladesh-related affairs.

He stated that approximately 70 people participated in the mobilisation and that a memorandum outlining the community's concerns and demands was submitted to European representatives.

Two individuals were mentioned in connection with these discussions: Anne Vaugier Chatterjee and Lene Villadsen. Their participation and precise roles in the meeting have yet to be independently confirmed with the EEAS.

Beyond this institutional initiative, the organisers seek to draw attention to a deeper concern: that Bangladesh's political transition has failed to guarantee equal rights and protections to all political groups.

“If I Return to Bangladesh, I Fear for My Life”

During our interview, Rashid Bazlur Bulu described what he considers an extremely dangerous situation for supporters of the Awami League, the party of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

He alleged that political activists and party officials have faced intimidation, assaults, arrests, and violence because of their political affiliation.

His testimony became particularly personal when he discussed the possibility of returning to Bangladesh.

“If I return to my country, they will kill me. Because I am a supporter of the Awami League.”

This statement reflects the fears expressed by some political activists living abroad. However, it remains an individual testimony and does not, by itself, establish the existence of a specific threat against him.

For the President of Bangladesh Community Europe, the issue extends beyond rivalry between political parties. He argues that freedom of expression, freedom of association, and the right to participate in political life must be guaranteed to all citizens, regardless of their political beliefs.

He also denounced attacks on homes, destruction of property, and alleged disappearances of political activists.

These serious allegations require independent investigations to establish the facts, identify victims, and determine responsibility.

The February 12, 2026 Elections at the Centre of the Dispute

One of the main issues raised by Rashid Bazlur Bulu concerns the parliamentary elections held on 12 February 2026.

Following Sheikh Hasina's departure in August 2024, Bangladesh entered a transitional period under the leadership of Muhammad Yunus, an economist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

The February 2026 elections subsequently brought the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) back to power, with Tarique Rahman heading the government since 17 February.

However, the elections took place without the participation of the Awami League, whose political activities had been banned.

This exclusion forms the central argument advanced by representatives of the party when challenging the fully inclusive character of the elections.

During our interview, Rashid Bazlur Bulu claimed that voter turnout was only 12–13%, arguing that the elections did not reflect the will of the population.

This assertion must, however, be distinguished from the official figures.

The Bangladesh Election Commission announced turnout of 59.44%, out of an electorate of approximately 127.7 million registered voters. The 12–13% figure cited by our interviewee is not supported by those official results.

The European Union, for its part, welcomed the conduct of the elections.

In its statement of 14 February, the EEAS described the electoral process as competitive and broadly credible, while emphasising the importance of continuing democratic reforms and respecting the rule of law.

The objections raised by members of the diaspora close to the Awami League therefore highlight a specific political question:

Can an election be considered fully inclusive when a major political party is prevented from participating, even if its technical organisation is judged satisfactory by international observers?

It is precisely this distinction between electoral credibility and political pluralism that the representatives mobilised in Brussels want European institutions to reconsider.

A Security Situation That Continues to Concern International Organisations

The concerns expressed by Rashid Bazlur Bulu arise against a backdrop of continuing reports of violence by human rights organisations.

According to a report by the Human Rights Support Society (HRSS), published on 19 October 2026, the first nine months of the year saw 187 deaths linked to mob violence and 73 fatalities resulting from political clashes.

These figures cover different categories of victims and cannot be attributed to a single political party or group.

Human Rights Watch has also raised concerns about arbitrary detention, restrictions on civil liberties, and risks faced by opposition activists.

At the same time, the organisation has emphasised the importance of prosecuting those responsible for violations committed under Sheikh Hasina's former government, while respecting due process and judicial safeguards.

These observations expose a central challenge facing Bangladesh's political transition: delivering justice for victims of past abuses while preventing judicial procedures or security measures from becoming instruments of political repression.

Sheikh Hasina: Between Judicial Conviction and Demands for Her Return

Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina remains at the centre of political tensions.

After leaving Bangladesh in August 2024, she took refuge in India.

In November 2025, a Bangladeshi tribunal sentenced her to death in absentia for crimes against humanity linked to the repression of the 2024 uprising.

This conviction does not mean that the sentence has been carried out. According to publicly available information, she remains outside Bangladesh.

Rashid Bazlur Bulu believes the former leader should be able to return to her country and benefit from a fair judicial process.

He also argues that the Awami League should regain the opportunity to participate in democratic political life.

However, Sheikh Hasina's own record remains the subject of serious allegations.

Investigations into the repression of the 2024 protests and enforced disappearances under her administration make it essential to distinguish between the right of her supporters to participate in politics and the potential criminal responsibility of former government officials.

This distinction is fundamental: democratic pluralism and accountability before the law are not mutually exclusive.

Concerns About the Growing Influence of Islamist Movements

During the interview, Rashid Bazlur Bulu also expressed concern about the increasing influence of Islamist political movements in Bangladesh.

He believes that certain radical religious groups have taken advantage of political upheaval to expand their influence and intimidate opponents.

The February election results confirmed the parliamentary significance of Jamaat-e-Islami, which secured 68 seats according to the initially announced results, becoming a major opposition force to the BNP.

Nevertheless, it is essential to distinguish between the lawful participation of Islamist political parties in democratic life and acts of violence or terrorism.

Membership of a religious political party does not, in itself, constitute evidence of terrorist activity.

Allegations made during the interview concerning foreign support for violent groups have not been substantiated by the evidence verified for this article.

What Is the Community Mobilised in Brussels Actually Demanding?

Rashid Bazlur Bulu wants European institutions to adopt a more demanding approach towards the Bangladeshi authorities.

The requests expressed during our interview can be summarised in five main objectives:

1. Protection of human rights: Independent investigations into violence, intimidation, and alleged disappearances involving political activists.

2. Restoration of political pluralism: A review of restrictions imposed on the Awami League and guarantees protecting freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly.

3. New inclusive parliamentary elections: Elections conducted under independent and transparent safeguards, allowing all political formations meeting legal requirements to participate.

4. Stronger European diplomatic engagement: Action through the EEAS, European Commission, Council of the European Union, and European Parliament to seek verifiable guarantees concerning the rule of law.

5. Review of economic relations and European assistance: An assessment of whether existing cooperation instruments could be used to encourage compliance with international human rights commitments.

These demands represent the position of the mobilisation's organisers and should not be interpreted as representing the entire Bangladeshi diaspora in Belgium.

Does the European Union Have Leverage Over Bangladesh?

The question raised by Rashid Bazlur Bulu extends beyond Bangladesh itself.

The European Union maintains significant economic, commercial, and diplomatic relations with Bangladesh, providing several channels of engagement with the country's authorities.

However, European institutions have already adopted a public position on the February 2026 elections.

On 28 April, the European Union Election Observation Mission published its final report, presenting 19 recommendations covering issues such as electoral transparency, campaign financing, women's political participation, and protecting public debate from violence and intimidation.

The question now being raised in Brussels concerns the implementation and follow-up of those recommendations.

The European Union could examine progress in political freedoms, protection of detainees, and judicial safeguards through its ongoing dialogue with Dhaka.

Nevertheless, a general suspension of assistance or trade, as suggested by our interviewee, would raise significant questions about the consequences for Bangladesh's population, workers, and economic sectors dependent on international trade.

Any attempt to make European relations conditional on human rights commitments would therefore require careful consideration of the objectives pursued, the proportionality of the measures, and their potential impact on ordinary citizens.

Brussels: A Platform for a Concerned Diaspora

The initiative undertaken with the EEAS also illustrates the growing role of diaspora communities in international relations.

Communities established in Europe are no longer confined to cultural and associative activities.

They increasingly participate in political debates concerning their countries of origin, engage with institutions, and seek to place their concerns on the European diplomatic agenda.

For Rashid Bazlur Bulu, the Brussels mobilisation offers a way to give international visibility to the concerns of Awami League supporters.

He also wants the international community to avoid treating the holding of elections as the definitive conclusion of a democratic transition.

According to the argument he advances, democracy must also guarantee the ability to oppose the government, criticise political leaders, and participate in political competition without fear of retaliation.

Bruxelles Korner Analysis — A Democratic Transition Facing the Test of Political Pluralism

Bangladesh stands at the intersection of several demanding objectives: institutional stability, justice for victims of political violence, protection of fundamental freedoms, and the reconstruction of a pluralistic political environment.

The February 2026 elections enabled the return of an elected government and received a broadly favourable assessment from European observers.

Yet continuing political violence, restrictions affecting the Awami League, and concerns raised by international organisations demonstrate that the democratic process continues to face significant challenges.

The mobilisation in Brussels brings this tension into focus: on one side, international recognition of Bangladesh's new institutional framework; on the other, the demands of those who challenge the conditions under which political participation is permitted.

For European institutions, the challenge is to maintain dialogue with Bangladesh's authorities while ensuring that commitments concerning human rights, justice, and political freedoms are effectively respected.

Democracy cannot be measured solely by the holding of elections. It must also be assessed through the protection of fundamental freedoms, judicial independence, and the ability of political opponents to participate peacefully in public life.

These are precisely the issues on which the Bangladeshi representatives mobilised in Brussels are now seeking answers from the European Union.

Interview and article: Kadir Duran — Bruxelles Korner

Interviewee: Rashid Bazlur Bulu, President of Bangladesh Community Europe and the Belgium Awami League.

Interview date: 22 October 2026.

The interviewee's statements have been rendered in editorial English while preserving the meaning of his remarks.

Sources and References

• European External Action Service — Statement on the Elections, 14 February 2026.
• EU Election Observation Mission — Final Report and 19 Recommendations, 28 April 2026.
• Human Rights Watch — World Report 2026: Bangladesh.
• UK Government — Bangladesh: Country Policy and Information Note, Political Situation, October 2026.
• The Business Standard — 187 Killed in Mob Violence, 73 in Political Clashes in First Nine Months of 2026, 19 October 2026.

Editorial Verification Note: The meeting held on 22 October and its reported content are described on the basis of the interview with Rashid Bazlur Bulu. The memorandum, the exact functions of the two individuals mentioned, and the official EEAS response have not been independently verified. Uncorroborated individual allegations are not presented as established facts.

English translation of the French article supplied for publication. No additional independent fact-checking was performed for this translation.

© Bruxelles Korner — Kadir Duran | 22 October 2026