Dhaka, June 11 -- The European Union has praised the government of Bangladesh for its generous hosting of the Rohingya refugee population, while at the same time drawing its attention to deficits in a number of other areas.

In particular, the EU would like to see Dhaka address the need for inclusiveness in the political process, space for civil society, freedom of expression and of media, and to pay heed to conditions for women and labour standards.

"Bangladesh is an important country for the European Union in the region," said the EU Special Representative for Human Rights Eamon Gilmore who visited Bangladesh on June 10-11.

The EU is monitoring the human and labour rights situation in Bangladesh closely, said a media release on Tuesda...