Fifty-seven Bangladeshi nationals who were jailed in the United Arab Emirates for protesting against their government have been pardoned by President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The Bangladeshi citizens had been sentenced to long prison terms for participating in protests against the then prime minister, Sheikh Hasina. The UAE does not allow unauthorized protests and quickly convicted the expatriates of “gathering and inciting riots” in July.
Human Rights Watch criticized the sentences as arbitrary and based on peaceful demonstrations. The president’s decision to pardon the prisoners comes after speaking with Bangladesh’s new interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, who took over after Hasina was forced from power. The unrest in Bangladesh began with student-led protests against job quotas and escalated into mass demonstrations calling for Hasina to resign.
Bangladeshis are the third largest expatriate group in the UAE, with many working in low-paid jobs and sending remittances home. The UAE has strict laws against dissent and prohibits criticism of the rulers or actions that could create unrest. Offending foreign states or jeopardizing diplomatic relations is also a criminal offense in the country. The Bangladeshi nationals who have been pardoned will be released and deported back to their home country soon.
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