US Congressman George Miller and French Ambassador-at-Large for Human Rights François Zimeray Monday visited the victims of the building collapse incident in Savar, who are undergoing treatment at the Enam Medical College Hospital. Miller, a senior member of the US Congress, arrived at the hospital in the morning. He inquired about the treatment of the injured and wanted to know whether they are facing any problem. He also talked to some of the injured people who were rescued from the debris of the building.
The congressman assured them of every possible assistance regarding their treatment, especially to those who have lost their limbs. He was accompanied by US embassy staff members.
George Miller arrived in Dhaka on Saturday to personally inspect the garments factories of Bangladesh as the world’s second largest apparel exporter is now under the scanner due to frequent disasters.The US congressman will meet workers, victims, factory owners and government officials during his visit.
Miller, the top Democrat on the House Education and the Workforce Committee, is the first member of the Congress to visit Bangladesh since the April 24 Rana Plaza collapse that killed 1,127 people and injured over 2,500 others, making it one of the worst industrial tragedies in world history. Miller has been pressing major American companies to sign a new building and fire safety agreement. The binding and enforceable accord has already been inked by more than 31 companies worldwide.
The French Ambassador-at-Large for Human Rights, François Zimeray, who arrived in Dhaka on Monday morning, also went to the hospital, directly from the airport, to see the injured victims of the building collapse in Savar. He also inquired about the treatment of the injured, talked to the victims, consoled them and expressed his sympathy to members of the bereaved families. “It is not only the collapse of a building. It’s a collapse of the law,” said the Franch ambassador, adding that the issue will be discussed with the government and they would find out a way how to improve the situation. “Accidents may take place at any time. But such incidents should come to an end, he observed.
François Zimeray will hold meetings with the ministers concerned, senior officials and other stakeholders to assess the present labour rights situation as well as safety conditions in the RMG sector in Bangladesh. He would examine how France could support Bangladesh to improve the latter’s existing working conditions at garments factories.
Zimeray will also address human rights issues during his meeting with senior officials, human right activists, members of the civil society and other stakeholders, in the aftermath of the recently concluded Universal Periodic Review (UPR). He will also address a conference on “Human Rights in the context of Globalisation” at the Dhaka University Senate Building on Tuesday.
-With The Independent input
