Arrest of female MP in Oman embarrassing : MoFA

Staff Reporter  :
The recent arrest and subsequent release of Bangladeshi female Member of Parliament (MP), Khadijatul Anwar, has become a matter of embarrassment for both Bangladesh and its government, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
(MoFA), on Thursday.

In a significant development, Khadijatul Anwar, along with 17 other Bangladeshis, has been released after being detained in Oman, creating controversies both at home and abroad among the Bangladeshi nationals particularly those residing in the Middle Eastern country.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ spokesperson, Sheheli Sabrin, disclosed that Oman’s Bangladesh Embassy took prompt actions to secure the release of the detained individuals, among whom were some

Bangladeshi expatriates living in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
On 1 August, a team of Royal Oman Police’s Special Investigation Unit (CIU) arrested Khadijatul Anwar, on charges of organising a political meeting without permission. As per Oman’s laws, any foreign citizen is not allowed to hold meetings or gatherings in the country without obtaining prior permission. Failure to do so can result in detention, which occurred in this case.

During the weekly media briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the spokesperson stressed the importance of all Bangladeshi expatriates abiding by the rules and regulations of their host country.
“Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina put emphasis on abiding the laws by the Bangladeshi nationals living abroad. Our expectation from the expatriates is that they will follow the local rules and laws there. Besides, they must avoid such activities. It is a matter of embarrassment for Bangladeshis and Bangladesh government,” she said.

Foreign Ministry said Khadijatul Anwar and the 17 others were released after signing the undertaking during their detention in police custody.
“The event was arranged at 10pm and they were released next day after the intervention of the Bangladesh Mission there. They have been released by signing the undertakings,” she said.
Asked about why they were taken into police custody, the Spokesperson said, “So far we have come to know that any meeting or gathering without prior permission is prohibited there. We have come to know that the organisers did not obtain permission from Oman government.”

Khadijatul Anwar is the incumbent MP representing the reserved seat for women, affiliated with the Awami League, in the 11th National Parliament. She took the oath of office on February 20, 2019. She is the daughter of the late MP Rafiqul Anwar from Fatickchari, Chattogram.