Before deciding on the non-binding resolution, there was a discussion. MEP Charles Tannock mentioned that he believed the Bangladesh government was dedicated to upholding citizens' rights to freedom of speech. He commended the government for their efforts in combating terrorism despite facing challenging conditions. Tannock, who represents London, contrasted this with the struggle European countries face in combating terrorism, even with their economic advancements. An official from the foreign ministry, who was involved in the discussion, reported that Tannock advised Parliament to consider the sensitivity of the issue before criticizing the efforts of the Bangladesh government to protect the rights of its citizens. The focus of the debate was mainly on the topics of freedom of expression and press, specifically regarding Article 57 of the ICT Act and the limitations on social media usage. The MEPs denounced the rise in attacks by Islamist extremists on secular writers, bloggers, religious minorities, and foreign aid workers, and expressed worry about the constraints on freedom of speech and press as well as the shrinking space for civil society organizations. Dan Preda, a politician from Romania, noted that a large number of newspapers are being published in Bangladesh and asserted that freedom of expression does exist in the country. He condemned the killings of journalists and commended the government for its 'zero-tolerance policy' towards terrorism and extremism. He stated that Bangladesh was facing threats from terrorist groups and called on the government to take all necessary measures to safeguard the lives of journalists. Jean Lambert, head of the European Parliament Delegation to South Asia, noted that Bangladesh's vibrant media was currently under siege. She praised Bangladesh for making significant progress in areas such as gender equality, child nutrition, and climate change adaptation. Lambert emphasized the importance of restoring a strong justice system in order to hold accountable those responsible for the murders of journalists. Lawmakers also urged parliament to support Bangladesh in combating the growing influence of fundamentalism and intolerance. A non-binding resolution is a written proposal passed by a group that does not have the power to become a law. The content of the resolution can cover any topic that can be brought up for discussion. Initially, seven different drafts were put forward by various political groups, which were eventually combined into one unified text. The resolution also commended Bangladesh for its modern and secular values, as well as its advancements in areas such as gender equality and climate change. The government's efforts in combating terrorism and violent extremism were also praised, along with their 'zero-tolerance policy' towards these issues. They called for changes to be made to the Information and Communication Technology Act, the Cyber-Security Act of 2015, and Foreign Donation Regulation Act. During the debate, some MEPs strongly expressed their opposition to the death penalty and specifically mentioned the recent execution of war criminals. The EP expressed deep regret over the executions, arrests of opposition leaders, and attacks on minorities, but the Bangladesh ambassador to the EU disagreed with these references. The ambassador argued that if the EP were to express regret when perpetrators of crimes against humanity and genocide were brought to justice, it would harm the credibility of the Institution. One of the initial seven drafts included a mention of the importance of "elections and dialogue," which the ambassador also opposed. However, in the final version of the text, these issues were not included. EU Commissioner for Budget & Human Resources Kristalina Georgieva emphasized the need to prioritize combatting radicalization, upholding human rights, and protecting labor rights. She reiterated the EU's commitment to supporting Bangladesh in improving democracy and governance.