Plight of Bangladeshis Imprisoned Abroad

Many Bangladeshis who have travelled abroad in search of a better life, through both legal and illegal channels, are living in inhumane conditions in prisons and detention centres across the world. The lack of adequate legal and diplomatic support is destroying their personal and family lives and damaging the country’s image.

First, it is important to know the number of Bangladeshi citizens detained in different countries and regions. Several thousand Bangladeshis are reportedly held in prisons across Asia. In India, around 1,579 Bangladeshis are held in Dum Dum and Alipore central prisons, while about 219 are detained at Kajang Prison in Malaysia. Most have reportedly been held for years over alleged violations of Section 3 of passport laws due to a lack of valid travel permits.

In the Middle East, around 7,500 Bangladeshis are reportedly imprisoned for various offences in the central prisons of Jeddah and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. Another 420 are held in Oman’s central prison, while 217 are detained at Abu Ghraib Prison in Iraq. Many were reportedly arrested for alleged violations of local labour laws and immigration regulations.

The number of Bangladeshis held in detention centres across Europe is also a growing concern. Around 414 Bangladeshis are reportedly held at a prison in Thessaloniki, Greece, while 508 are detained in Edirne, Turkey. Most were allegedly detained under laws governing border control and irregular entry.

In Africa, many Bangladeshis are being held in detention facilities in Libya and South Africa, reportedly without adequate medical care. Eleven Bangladeshis are held at Johannesburg Central Prison, while a large number are detained at a detention centre in Tripoli, Libya. Many are reportedly being held over alleged violations of passport regulations and rules governing the identification of foreign nationals.

In North America, many Bangladeshis are living in difficult conditions in detention facilities in Mexico and the United States. Around 97 Bangladeshis are reportedly held at the Tapachula detention centre in Mexico. Most are being held under strict supervision over alleged violations of immigration laws and regulations on unauthorised border crossings.

In South America, one Bangladeshi national is reportedly serving a prison sentence at a central prison in São Paulo, Brazil. He was arrested after allegedly entering the country irregularly through the influence of human traffickers. He was subsequently sentenced over alleged violations of Brazilian immigration and national security laws.

In Australia, a developed country in the Oceania region, 39 Bangladeshis are reportedly being held at detention centres in Sydney and Melbourne. They were detained over alleged irregular entry by sea or the use of forged documents. Many have reportedly remained in detention for extended periods under Australian border and immigration regulations.

Bangladeshis are also being held in prisons in island nations and other countries outside these regions. For example, 70 Bangladeshis are reportedly detained at Maafushi Prison in the Maldives, while 28 are held at Roumieh Prison in Lebanon. Many are serving sentences for alleged violations of local labour and residency regulations.

Failure of Diplomatic Missions

Bangladesh’s diplomatic missions have failed to provide adequate protection to expatriate citizens. Bangladeshi high commissions and embassies have fallen seriously short in protecting the fundamental human rights of citizens detained abroad.

Article 36 of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, 1963, provides for consular communication and access to detained nationals. However, the author argues that Bangladesh’s missions have failed to ensure these services consistently. As a result, the legal and humanitarian rights of detainees are being severely undermined.

The recent execution of two Bangladeshi prisoners in Saudi Arabia has raised further concerns about the performance of diplomatic missions. Although the list sent to the Bangladesh Consulate in Jeddah reportedly identified the prisoners as “convicted”, the mission failed to obtain copies of the judgments. According to the author, this failure violated consular guidelines and diplomatic responsibilities, putting the prisoners’ lives at risk.

Bangladesh’s overseas missions have also failed to establish a modern, integrated central database to maintain information about citizens in foreign prisons. The lack of accessible and reliable information leaves families struggling to learn about their relatives’ whereabouts and legal status. This causes severe emotional and financial hardship.

Many Bangladeshi workers are unable to defend themselves effectively in local courts because they do not understand the local language. The author alleges that diplomatic missions have failed to provide adequate interpreters and legal representation. These shortcomings have contributed to prolonged detention and difficulties in securing justice.

Even after completing their sentences, hundreds of Bangladeshis reportedly remain abroad because they cannot obtain travel documents or air tickets to return home. Poor coordination among high commissions has delayed repatriation procedures. Consequently, some former prisoners remain in foreign detention centres for years after serving their sentences.

Legal Responsibilities of Bangladesh Missions

Bangladesh’s diplomatic missions have clear responsibilities towards citizens arrested abroad. They should provide prompt legal assistance whenever a Bangladeshi national working or living overseas is detained. Under Article 5 of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, consular missions have a role in assisting their nationals. The convention also provides for consular access and communication with detained citizens.

Missions should promptly contact local courts to verify the charges against detained Bangladeshis and assess their legal status. The government should also arrange legal representation through panel lawyers, where applicable, to help ensure access to justice.

Every diplomatic mission should publish and regularly update a list of Bangladeshi citizens held in prisons and detention centres in its jurisdiction. Such information should include their locations and sentence details, subject to applicable privacy and legal restrictions. This would help families obtain reliable information about their relatives.

Administrative procedures for repatriation should begin well before a prisoner’s sentence ends. At least six months before the expected release date, missions should start the necessary arrangements and complete the process of issuing travel permits in accordance with applicable rules. Ensuring the prompt return of eligible citizens should be a key responsibility of diplomatic missions.

A special emergency fund should be established to help poor and vulnerable detainees pay fines when they cannot afford them. Proper allocation and use of such funds could help many prisoners secure earlier release, where payment of a fine is legally sufficient for that purpose.

Steps Needed to Resolve the Crisis

The Bangladesh government must take immediate and effective measures to address the inhumane conditions faced by its citizens in foreign prisons. Bangladesh should sign bilateral prisoner-transfer agreements with other countries. Such agreements could allow eligible prisoners to serve the remainder of their sentences in their home country under agreed legal arrangements. This would help them maintain family ties and receive support during their imprisonment.

The government must also strengthen efforts to prevent human trafficking and impose strict penalties on those responsible. The Human Trafficking Prevention and Suppression Act, 2012, provides a legal framework for prosecuting traffickers. The authorities should ensure that the law is properly enforced and that offenders face the penalties prescribed by law.

Recruiting agencies and intermediaries must also be held accountable for deceptive recruitment practices and their role in sending workers abroad through irregular channels. Stronger oversight of recruitment, better pre-departure information and effective legal protection for migrant workers are essential to prevent further suffering.

Protecting Bangladeshis abroad requires more than diplomatic statements. It demands effective legal assistance, reliable information, timely repatriation and stronger coordination between government agencies and foreign authorities. The government must act decisively to protect the rights and dignity of Bangladeshi citizens detained overseas.

The author is an essayist and fiction writer.

Email: eddanwar@gmail.com