10,066 BD men detained abroad
Around 10,066 Bangladeshi nationals are currently detained in prisons in different countries, Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman told Parliament on Thursday, announcing that the government will soon launch a dedicated portal to expedite their repatriation.
Responding to a question from Kazi Enamul Haque, a Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker from the opposition representing Jashore-5, Dr Khalil said the government was pursuing diplomatic efforts to bring the detained citizens home while respecting the legal procedures of the countries concerned.
“Bangladeshi citizens arrested and imprisoned in foreign countries remain subject to the legal processes of those countries. Therefore, the government has to pursue diplomatic efforts while respecting those legal processes,” he said.
The minister said Bangladesh missions take a range of measures when they receive information that a Bangladeshi national is detained abroad.
These include visiting prisons or detention centres, meeting detainees, collecting necessary information, providing advice on legal matters and facilitating access to legal protection.
He said missions also seek the appointment of lawyers through the courts when detainees cannot afford legal representation. If detainees’ families wish to appoint lawyers independently, the missions provide necessary advice and assistance.
In cases where fines need to be paid, the missions contact detainees’ families and help arrange payment, he said. They also assist in arranging air tickets for detainees to return home.
If a family is unable to bear the cost of repatriation, the government covers the expenses, the minister added.
Dr Khalil said missions also facilitate the necessary airport protocols and other arrangements for returnees.
After detainees complete their prison sentences, efforts are made to ensure the speedy issuance of travel passes to enable their return to Bangladesh.
He said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, and the Wage Earners’ Welfare Board coordinate to provide these services through Bangladesh’s overseas missions.
The minister further said diplomatic efforts were made, where appropriate, to secure general amnesties from the relevant authorities in host countries.
Such efforts have recently been undertaken to bring home Bangladeshi nationals detained in several Middle Eastern countries and three Bangladeshi fishermen detained in Myanmar, he said.
The proposed portal is expected to provide a dedicated mechanism for taking prompt action on the repatriation of Bangladeshis detained abroad, according to the minister.
