Motion
Elections in Bangladesh
S5M-15167 · Standard Motion · lodged by Cole-Hamilton, Alex
Lodged on
14 Dec 2018Heard / answered on
UnknownThat the Parliament acknowledges the upcoming general election in Bangladesh on 30 December 2018; supports democracy and the rule of law; notes that, in May 2018, the state party committed to guaranteeing freedom of expression throughout Bangladesh; understands that reports from Amnesty International state that, since 2013, the police have charged 1,200 people and that 170 enforced disappearances have occurred; notes reports of the sentencing to death of 19 opposition party leaders, with the current opposition leader, Khaleada Zia, still in prison; hopes that there will be an end to the use of indiscriminate detention of political opposition; considers that violence against women and minority groups in Bangladesh is a serious and growing issue; deplores the possible impact of the Digital Security Act of Bangladesh passed on 8 October 2018, which it considers limits the basic human right to freedom of expression, grants broad and vaguely defined powers to authorities, and allows for up to 10 years imprisonment for going against the spirit of the "liberation war"; expresses concern regarding the possible impact of this legislation in repressing the independent functioning of the media; acknowledges in particular the reported arrest of the prominent photographer, Shahidul Alam, under section 57 of the act, based on comments on social media and an interview, and hopes that Bangladesh considers amending the law to make it consistent with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in order to strengthen democracy, both in Bangladesh and internationally.
Backed by
Supported by 7 additional MSPs
SNP 5
Green 1
Lab 1
Lodged by
Cole-Hamilton, Alex
(Scottish Liberal Democrats).
- Gibson, Kenneth (SNP)
- Finnie, John (Green)
- Kidd, Bill (SNP)
- McNeill, Pauline (Lab)
- Dornan, James (SNP)
- Adamson, Clare (SNP)
- Mason, John (SNP)
No division on record.
Either the chamber agreed this motion without a vote, it was withdrawn before debate, or it predates 2011 — vote-by-vote records only run from then.
Computer-generated best guess
Possible final motion text as originally lodged
This is a computer’s best guess at applying carried amendments to the original motion text. It uses simple text rules for phrases such as “insert at end”, “after X insert Y”, and “leave out from X to end and insert Y”. Treat it as an aid, not the official motion text.
That the Parliament acknowledges the upcoming general election in Bangladesh on 30 December 2018; supports democracy and the rule of law; notes that, in May 2018, the state party committed to guaranteeing freedom of expression throughout Bangladesh; understands that reports from Amnesty International state that, since 2013, the police have charged 1,200 people and that 170 enforced disappearances have occurred; notes reports of the sentencing to death of 19 opposition party leaders, with the current opposition leader, Khaleada Zia, still in prison; hopes that there will be an end to the use of indiscriminate detention of political opposition; considers that violence against women and minority groups in Bangladesh is a serious and growing issue; deplores the possible impact of the Digital Security Act of Bangladesh passed on 8 October 2018, which it considers limits the basic human right to freedom of expression, grants broad and vaguely defined powers to authorities, and allows for up to 10 years imprisonment for going against the spirit of the "liberation war"; expresses concern regarding the possible impact of this legislation in repressing the independent functioning of the media; acknowledges in particular the reported arrest of the prominent photographer, Shahidul Alam, under section 57 of the act, based on comments on social media and an interview, and hopes that Bangladesh considers amending the law to make it consistent with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in order to strengthen democracy, both in Bangladesh and internationally.
Amendments and how the chamber decided
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S5M-15167Selected item14 Dec 2018 · Standard Motion · Cole-Hamilton, AlexThat the Parliament acknowledges the upcoming general election in Bangladesh on 30 December 2018; supports democracy and the rule of law; notes that, in May 2018, the state party committed to guaranteeing freedom of expression throughout Bangladesh; understands that reports from Amnesty International state that, since 2013, the police have charged 1,200 p...