Stance on women's right, minority issues, democracy discussed with EU Envoy Miller: Jamaat leader Taher
Jamaat Nayeeb-e-Ameer Syed Adbullah Mohammad Taher said the party clarified it was liberal in regard to women’s participation in politics
The Jamaat-e-Islami's stance on democracy, women's rights, and minority issues was prominently discussed during the party's Europe visit at the invitation of the European Union, Jamaat Nayeeb-e-Ameer Syed Adbullah Mohammad Taher said today (27 April).
He made the remarks while addressing a press conference after a meeting between the Jamaat top brass, led by the party's Ameer Shafiqur Rahman, and EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller at the Jamaat central office in Dhaka today (27 April).
Taher said a five-member delegation of Bangladesh Jamaat-Islami – led by Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman – had gone to Brussels and visited various institutions of the Swedish government.
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"There, we discussed various activities and issues of mutual interest between Bangladesh and the European Union. In particular, there was a detailed discussion on how to develop mutual relations and friendship between the European Union and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami."
He said they also wanted to know what Jamaat's policy on minority issues and women's rights would be, alongside its stance on democracy. "We said everyone is very aware of their rights, and everyone will play their role."
Taher said the EU had also asked about the party's objections to some recommendations of the women's reform committee.
"We objected to one thing - the licence proposal for sex workers. It is very shameful for women, inhuman and an attack on their honour; an attack on the rights of every human being.
He said the party told the EU they condemned such proposals.
"But otherwise, we embrace the role of women."
He said the party clarified it was liberal in regard to women's participation in politics.
"Our party has 43% women members, which is not in any other party. So we have cleared these.
"I think they were convinced by what we had to say [in these regards]," he said.
Taher also said they had proposed setting up an exclusive zone for European investment in garments.
"We also talked about the upcoming elections in Bangladesh and whether election observers would come," he said, adding they had proposed setting up CCTV cameras to ensure a level-playing field.
"They have encouraged this proposal and we have asked them to cooperate with us regarding the budget required for this."
On reforms, Taher said Jamaat reiterated its desire to ensure the prime minister and president have the same kind of power, and no one is elected as PM more than twice.
On the timeline of the election, he said Jamaat had lent support for the period specified by the chief adviser.
A Jamaat delegation visited Europe from 7 to 10 April and the United Kingdoms on 11 and 12 April.
