2024-02-20 21:07:58
9 thousand 370 Bangladeshi migrant workers are detained in prisons in different countries of the world, said Foreign Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud. He said that the most Bangladeshi prisoners are in the prisons of Saudi Arabia.
He gave this information in response to a written question by Mohammad Hushamuddin Chowdhury in the question and answer session of the Jatiya Sangsad on Monday (February 19). Speaker Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury presided over the meeting.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs said that according to the information received from the missions about those detained in prisons abroad, one in Portugal, six in Egypt, 81 in Italy, 385 in South Africa, six in Korea, three in Sri Lanka, 415 in Qatar, nine in Libya, 19 in Spain, 122 in Hong Kong, 66 in Singapore. John, 16 in Brunei, 184 in Beijing, China, 7 in Kunming, 404 in Abu Dhabi, 49 in Indonesia, 5,746 in Saudi Arabia, 219 in Malaysia, 1 in Algeria, 4 in Thailand, 28 in Lebanon, 414 in Greece, 217 in Iraq. , 508 people are detained in Turkey, 358 people in Myanmar, two in Japan, 100 people in Jordan.
Regarding the government’s steps to release expatriates detained in foreign prisons and the progress of its implementation, he said that from July last year to this month, a total of 1,226 Bangladeshis have been repatriated from Libya, 51 from prisons in France and other European countries. In addition, another 1,950 people have been brought back from the prisons of India, Myanmar and various countries in the Middle East.
Hasan Mahmud said that the officials of Bangladesh embassies abroad regularly meet Bangladeshi workers detained in prisons. Maintained close contact with the concerned jail authorities for their speedy release. Liaison is always maintained with concerned Police Stations and Public Prosecution Offices to investigate expeditiously and properly the complaints brought against migrant workers detained on charges of criminal offenses in various countries.
He said that a representative of the embassy or a legal assistant of the concerned country during the trial of the expatriate workers detained in the jail helps them to get justice by attending the court. According to the needs of families of laborers or expatriate workers detained on various charges, the Embassy provides all assistance in establishing contact with law firms in the participating countries and obtaining justice. Communicate and lobby at the highest level of the concerned country for special and general amnesty for laborers or expatriate workers detained in prisons. Special travel permits are issued and tickets are purchased by the embassy for the expeditious repatriation of migrant laborers detained in prisons after their sentences have expired. The embassy communicates with various charitable organizations and philanthropic persons of the respective countries for the purpose of paying the financial liability and repatriating the workers or expatriate workers detained on financial charges.
In addition, embassies are always in touch with prosecutors seeking remission of sentences for death row convicts. If necessary, the Head of State sends a diplomatic letter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the concerned country regarding the pardon request. Bangladesh embassies abroad arrange remission of death sentence in case of convicts sentenced to death by settlement with victim’s family through court on payment of blood money/blood money. Dritabas maintains regular diplomatic contact with the foreign, home and judicial departments of the respective countries to ensure access to services for Bangladeshis imprisoned in diaspora.