Before adopting the non-binding resolution, there was a debate. MEP Charles Tannock stated that he believed the Bangladesh government was dedicated to upholding citizens' freedom of expression. He commended the government for its efforts in combating terrorism despite facing challenging circumstances. Tannock, a MEP from London, drew a comparison between Bangladesh's fight against terrorism and that of European countries. He noted that even though European countries have economic advantages, they are still encountering difficulties in combatting terrorism. According to a foreign ministry official who was following the debate, Tannock emphasized the importance of Parliament being aware of the delicate nature of the issue before criticizing the Bangladesh government's efforts to protect the rights of its citizens. The discussion primarily focused on freedom of expression and the press, specifically mentioning Article 57 of the ICT Act and the current restrictions on social media. MEPs denounced the escalating attacks by Islamist extremists on secular writers, bloggers, religious minorities, and foreign aid workers, expressing worries about limitations on freedom of speech, press, and civil society. Dan Preda, a Romanian politician, acknowledged the presence of numerous newspapers in Bangladesh and insisted that freedom of expression is present in the country. He condemned the killings of journalists and commended the government's strict stance against terrorism and extremism. He stated that Bangladesh was facing threats from terrorist groups and emphasized the need for the government to take necessary steps to safeguard the lives of journalists. Jean Lambert, who heads the European Parliament Delegation to South Asia, noted that Bangladesh's active media was being targeted and praised the country's progress in various areas such as gender equality, child nutrition, and climate change adaptation. She stressed the importance of reinstating a fair justice system to hold accountable those responsible for the murders of journalists. Lawmakers also called on the 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 cannot become a law. The resolution can cover various topics, and in this case, seven drafts were combined into one. The resolution praised Bangladesh for its modern and secular values, as well as its advancements in gender equality, climate change, and efforts against terrorism and extremism. They called on the government to revise the Information and Communication Technology Act, the Cyber-Security Act of 2015, and Foreign Donation Regulation Act. According to diplomats who observed the discussion, some MEPs were firm in their stance on the death penalty and specifically mentioned the recent execution of war criminals. They noted that the EP was saddened by the executions, arrests of opposition leaders, and attacks on minority groups. However, the Bangladesh ambassador to the EU objected to these references, expressing disappointment and warning that the EP should not express regret when those responsible for crimes against humanity and genocide are brought to justice as it could harm the credibility of the institution. One of the original seven drafts included a mention of the importance of "elections and dialogue," which the ambassador opposed. However, in the final version, these issues were not included. EU Commissioner for Budget & Human Resources Kristalina Georgieva emphasized the need to prioritize combating radicalization, upholding human rights, and ensuring labor rights. She reiterated the EU's commitment to supporting Bangladesh in enhancing democracy and governance.