Dhaka: The European Parliament (EP) on Thursday adopted a ‘non-binding’ resolution asking Bangladesh authorities to restore the full independence of the media.

‘Parliament calls on the Bangladesh authorities to restore the full independence of the media,’ the resolution mentioned.  

The EP expressed its concern at the ‘growing restrictions’ on freedom of expression which have accompanied the rise of religious fundamentalism, intolerance and extremist violence in the country, according to the EP website.

It urged Bangladesh authorities to drop all the charges against publishers and journalists who have published content critical of the government.

The EP also urged the government to allow the immediate reopening of all media houses which were closed, and to urgently fulfill the country's commitments and apply the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity endorsed in 2013.

It condemned the increasing attacks by ‘Islamist extremists’ on secularist writers, bloggers, religious minorities and foreign aid workers in Bangladesh.

The non-binding resolution was adopted by 586 votes to 31, with 25 abstentions.

A non-binding resolution is a written motion adopted by a deliberative body that cannot progress into a law. The substance of the resolution can be anything that can normally be proposed as a motion.