A debate took place before the non-binding resolution was adopted. MEP Charles Tannock praised the Bangladesh government for its dedication to upholding the rights of freedom of expression for its citizens. He commended the government for effectively combating terrorism despite facing challenging circumstances. The MEP from London contrasted this with the struggles of European countries in fighting terrorism, noting that despite their economic progress, they still face difficulties in this regard. A foreign ministry official, who was part of the debate, mentioned that Tannock advised Parliament to keep in mind the delicate nature of the issue while discussing and criticizing the Bangladesh government's efforts to protect its citizens' rights. The debate primarily focused on freedom of expression and press, specifically Article 57 of the ICT Act and the current restrictions on social media. MEPs denounced attacks by Islamist extremists on secular writers, bloggers, religious minorities, and foreign aid workers, expressing concern about limitations on freedom of speech and press, as well as space for civil society organizations. Romanian politician Dan Preda acknowledged that a significant number of newspapers are published in Bangladesh, indicating that freedom of expression does exist in the country. He condemned the killings of journalists and praised the government's zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism and extremism. He stated that Bangladesh faced threats from terrorist groups and called on the government to take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of journalists. Jean Lambert, who leads the European Parliament Delegation to South Asia, noted that Bangladesh's vibrant media was currently under siege. She praised the country for its advancements in areas like gender equality, child nutrition, and climate change adaptation. Lambert emphasized the importance of restoring a strong justice system to hold accountable those responsible for journalist killings. Additionally, some legislators urged the parliament to assist Bangladesh in combating the growing influence of fundamentalism and intolerance. A non-binding resolution is a written proposal passed by a group for discussion that does not become a law. The resolution can cover various topics and can be presented as a motion. Initially, seven drafts were submitted by different political groups and later combined into one text. The resolution, which was approved, praised Bangladesh for its modern and secular values, as well as its advancements in gender equality, climate change, and socio-economic development. The resolution also commended the government's efforts in combating terrorism and violent extremism, as well as their 'zero-tolerance policy' in this area. They called for changes to the Information and Communication Technology Act, the Cyber-Security Act of 2015, and Foreign Donation Regulation Act. During the debate, some MEPs strongly opposed the death penalty and cited the recent execution of war criminals. The EP expressed deep regret over the executions, arrests of opposition leaders, and attacks on minorities. However, the Bangladesh ambassador to the EU disagreed with these references, expressing concern that expressing regret over bringing perpetrators of crimes against humanity and genocide to justice would damage the Institution's credibility. One of the initial seven versions of the text also mentioned the importance of "elections and dialogue," which the ambassador disagreed with. However, in the final version, these issues were not included. EU Commissioner for Budget & Human Resources, Kristalina Georgieva, emphasized the need to prioritize fighting radicalization, respecting human rights, and ensuring labor rights in her closing remarks. She confirmed that the EU would continue to support Bangladesh in improving democracy and governance.