Before the non-binding resolution was adopted, there was a debate. MEP Charles Tannock stated that he believed the government of Bangladesh was dedicated to upholding citizens' rights to freedom of expression. He commended the government for addressing terrorism despite facing challenging circumstances. Tannock, a MEP from London, contrasted this with European countries' efforts to combat terrorism. He noted that despite their economic progress, European countries were still having difficulty in tackling terrorism. A foreign ministry official who observed the debate stated that Tannock advised Parliament to keep in mind the sensitivity of the issue before criticizing the Bangladesh government's efforts to protect its citizens' rights. The discussion mainly focused on freedom of expression and the press, specifically Article 57 of the ICT Act and the limitations on social media usage. MEPs expressed their disapproval of the increasing attacks by Islamist extremists on secular writers, bloggers, religious minorities, and foreign aid workers, as well as their concerns about restrictions on freedom of speech, press, and civil society. Romanian politician Dan Preda noted the large number of newspapers in Bangladesh and acknowledged the presence of freedom of expression in the country. He denounced the killings of journalists and commended the government's strong stance against 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, who heads the European Parliament Delegation to South Asia, noted that Bangladesh's vibrant media was currently under siege. She praised the country's advancements in gender equality, child nutrition, climate change adaptation, and other areas. Lambert emphasized the importance of restoring a robust justice system to ensure that those responsible for the murders of journalists are held accountable. Lawmakers also appealed to the parliament to support Bangladesh in combatting the growing influence of extremism and intolerance. A non-binding resolution is a written proposal passed by a decision-making group that cannot be made into a law. The resolution can cover any topic that can typically be brought up as a motion. Initially, seven different political groups had their own drafts, which were later combined into one joint text. The resolution praised Bangladesh for its modern and secular qualities, as well as its advancements in gender equality, climate change, and socio-economic progress. The MEPs also commended the government's efforts in fighting terrorism and violent extremism, as well as their 'zero-tolerance policy' on these issues. They recommended that the government make changes to the Information and Communication Technology Act, the Cyber-Security Act of 2015, and the Foreign Donation Regulation Act. According to diplomats who monitored the discussion, some Members of the European Parliament were firm in their stance on the death penalty and specifically mentioned the recent execution of war criminals. They highlighted the EP's disapproval of the executions, arrests of opposition leaders, and attacks on minority groups in Bangladesh. The Bangladesh ambassador to the EU disagreed with these references and expressed disappointment, arguing that the EP should not express regret when individuals responsible for crimes against humanity and genocide are brought to justice, as it would damage the Institution's credibility. One of the initial seven drafts contained a mention of the importance of "elections and dialogue", which was also opposed by the ambassador. However, in the final version of the text, these issues were not included. EU Commissioner for Budget & Human Resources, Kristalina Georgieva, emphasized the importance of combating radicalization, upholding human rights, and ensuring labor rights in her closing remarks. She reassured that the EU will continue to support Bangladesh in enhancing democracy and governance.