One of our main activities is organising and hosting Luncheon Briefings on pertinent topics of EU-Asia relations. Beginning with an informal lunch, the Briefings usually last for 1.5 hours, including questions.

Attendees include EIAS members and other interested parties.

Experts wishing to discuss a possible topic for a Lucheon Briefing are invited to contact EIAS Direct Dr Willem van der Geest.

Democracy and the Rule of Law in Bangladesh
28 September 2004, EIAS, Brussels

Democracy and the rule of law have not gone without challenges in Bangladesh’s political history. The intense political violence witnessed in recent years increasingly threatens the country’s aim of establishing a mature democracy with the rule of law and equitable social and economic development.

This threat became particularly evident when the Leader of the Opposition, former Prime Minister Ms. Sheikh Hasina, narrowly escaped an assassination attempt on the 21st of August, 2004 during a political rally in Dhaka. Senior members of her Party, her bodyguard as well as innocent by-standers were killed, while several hundreds were seriously injured. Investigations have to date failed to identify or apprehend the perpetrators.

Barrister Amirul Islam, Legal Advisor to Ms Sheikh Hasina since 2002, kindly agreed to address the key question of what may be done to ensure that Bangladesh improves its governance performance and moves towards a mature political democracy.

Barrister Islam was Minister during 1973-74 in the government of Sheikh Mujib, the father of Ms Sheikh Hasina, who was assassinated in 1975. He has been practising law in Bangladesh since the early 1960s and was a member of the committee drafting the country’s constitution during 1971-72.

In his presentation, he addressed the importance of police and judicial reform for democratic development and examine the possible role of the international community, including the European Union.

Report on the meeting (pdf)

Photo Gallery

Background Note (pdf)

Letter of Invitation (pdf)