By Alastair Lawson BBC correspondent in Dhaka

A five-member delegation of members of the European parliament has strongly criticised the Bangladeshi Government for human rights violations committed during the recent deployment of the army to fight crime.

Members of the delegation said the deaths of more than 40 people in military custody during the army deployment, known as Operation Clean Heart, raises real worries about the future of democracy in the country.

The comments of the five MEPs are highly embarrassing for the Bangladeshi government.

Soldiers have been given immunity from prosecution

It has been accused of reneging on promises to investigate the deaths of those who died in custody during the army operation, which began in December and ended last month.

One of the visiting MEPs, Robert Evans, said that the authorities had not even made a token effort to investigate the deaths.

"It causes an immense amount of concern, real worries, as to the democratic nature of the country if the army is going to be given, in effect, a free rein and a licence to do whatever they will - a licence to kill, almost," he said.

The MEPs said they were also extremely concerned about a recent parliamentary decision which allowed army officers accused of human rights abuses during Operation Clean Heart to be given immunity from prosecution.

They said such a law was normally enacted by a police state, rather than a democracy.

They warned the government's actions created a sense of political instability and posed serious questions about accountability of the armed forces.

The government has not so far responded to the MEPs comments, but last year ministers reacted indignantly when the European Parliament passed a resolution critical of Operation Clean Heart.