Nirj has visited Bangladesh on 5 occasions and is well known to the political leadership in that country.

As a Member of the European Parliament’s International Development Committee, Nirj was Shadow Rapporteur of the Van den Bos Report on Bangladesh as a result of which 700 million euros were given as aid.

Nirj supported the adoption by the European Parliament of the new Cooperation Agreement with Bangladesh, and argued for priority to be given to:

- sustainable economic and social development,
- the fight against poverty,
- the role of women
- the link between economic and social development and environmental protection.

He stressed the need for the EU to contribute to strengthening civil society, notably through the network of local NGOs.

In March 2003, as Conservative Spokesman Nirj Deva led the questioning of the European Commission on the allegations of Amnesty International against Bangladesh.

On 14th April 2005 he said "It is unfortunate that the democratically government of Bangladesh, elected in 2001 to restore law and order to that country is now facing a political attack from ad hoc groups of unrecognised NGOs whose remit to comment on matters has been widely distorted and misused in the European Parliament.

Bangladesh is a democracy. Bangladesh is a developing country. It has now managed to feed itself. It is now trying to build a viable trading relationship with countries around the world”.
Nirj Deva is Hon. President of the Bangladesh Caterers` Association, representing 11,000 restaurants in the UK.

MEP Speaks Up For Bangladesh
14th April 2005

Speaking in EP today Nirj Deva, Coordinator of the Development Committee and Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, said:

"It is unfortunate that the democratically government of Bangladesh, elected in 2001 to restore law and order to that country is now facing a political attack from ad hoc groups of unrecognised NGOs whose remit to comment on matters has been widely distorted and misused in the European Parliament.

"Bangladesh is a democracy. Bangladesh is a developing country. It has now managed to feed itself. It is now trying to build a viable trading relationship with countries around the world”.

It is in this climate that Deva asked the international community and European Parliament to give its support to the people of Bangladesh and not to allow inimitable forces to portray Bangladesh as a radical Muslim nation, which it is not.

Commenting further, the MEP said:

“Of the 56 ministers in the Government, only two are from Islamic parties and the other 54 are not Islamists. This does not make the Government a radical Islamic Government even though there had been certain concerns over the Rapid Battallion set up by the Government to establish law in the country to stop a series of rapes, extortions, hostage takings, acid throwing on women and senseless killings.

“Instead of recognising the leaps and bounds made in establishing law and order, certain forces are now trying to bring about a climate of chaos with regards to Bangladesh in the international community.

“The recent bomb blasts and grenade attacks which lead to the deaths of ministers were made against the Government and it is those people we should condemn.

“The Government arrested eight people two weeks ago and the due processes of the law are being instigated to put them up for trial. Furthermore, the two radical Islamist parties have been banned, a step which in a democracy can only be taken after great thought and consideration.

“The EU-Bangladesh Joint Commission is well on its way to reaching commonality of format on issues relating to human rights and the protection of minorities in the country.

“These are positive examples of a country attempting to reach its maximum human potential as a Muslim democracy. These efforts should be recognised and rewarded, not condemned”.

MEP Speaks Over Over Politically-Motivated Killings
11th May 2004

UK Conservative MEPs Nirj Deva (Spokesman on Overseas Development), Charles Tannock (Spokesman on Foreign Affairs) and Geoffrey Van Orden (Spokesman on Defence and Human Rights) have condemned the murder of a leading Bangladeshi opposition politician, Ahsanullah Master, who was gunned down on Friday at a public conference in Tongi (Bangladesh).

The murder of Mr Master is just the latest incident in a series of violent acts and human rights abuses recently reported from Bangladesh. Others include arbitrary mass arrests and detention of government opponents, torture and deaths in custody, excessive use of force leading at times to extrajudicial executions, attacks against members of minority groups and acts of violence against women.

UK Conservative MEPs Deva, Tannock and Van Orden therefore call upon the Bangladeshi government to urgently address factors which contribute to human rights violations, such as impunity and corrupt practices in law enforcement, and to establish an independent and impartial national human rights commission.