Monday, July 22, 2024
UAE sentences imprisonment to 57 Bangladeshis over Protests
A court in the UAE has handed up prison sentences to 57 Bangladeshi nationals, including life sentences to 3, for their roles in anti-government protests of Bangladesh in the United Arab Emirates. Trending : Saudi Arabia revises Retirement age for Public and Private sector workers
The Emirates News Agency (WAM) reports that on Sunday, the Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal handed out 10-year prison terms to 53 Bangladeshi nationals, 11-year term to another, and three life sentences. After serving their sentences, the court also ordered that all of them to be deported from the UAE.
- According to WAM, a witness said in court that the defendants had planned and participated in several public marches in the UAE to demonstrate against policies made by the government of Bangladesh.
- A quick trial has been scheduled for the imprisoned Bangladeshi nationals, and an investigation has been ordered by the UAE authorities.
- Protests in the UAE were a follow-up to weeks of unrest in Bangladesh, where a quota system had previously been used to give up to 30% of government positions to families of soldiers of the 1971 independence fight. The highest court in Bangladesh partially resolved the dispute on Sunday by reducing the quota system. Most Viewed : Muvi Cinemas in KSA adds 4 new theaters to its list
The Bangladeshi nationals have been charged by the UAE attorney general's office on multiple counts, according to WAM. These include, among others, "gathering in a public place and protesting against their home government with the intent to create tension," preventing law enforcement, harming others, and damaging property.
Most Bangladeshi expats work as low-wage laborers and send money back to their relatives back home, they are the third biggest expat community in the United Arab Emirates, after Pakistanis and Indians. A large number of South Asians work as workers in the United Arab Emirates, an authoritarian federation of seven sheikhdoms. The majority of the population lives there as expats.
All Bangladeshi expats living in the Gulf (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, etc.) region are requested to respect the local laws and regulations. According to the laws of Gulf countries, without the prior permission of the appropriate authorities, any kind of gathering, procession or shouting slogans, indulging in any activity that may cause tension, panic or confusion in public mind, spreading rumor, propaganda, recording videos of such activities on social media are strictly not allowed. Like and Follow Saudi Expatriates on Facebook
UAE sentences imprisonment to 57 Bangladeshis over Protests
