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Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman has stated that currently, approximately 10,066 Bangladeshi citizens are imprisoned in various foreign countries. The government is undertaking diplomatic efforts to bring these Bangladeshi citizens back home, while respecting the legal processes of the respective countries.
The Foreign Minister provided this information on Thursday (September 10) in the Jatiya Sangsad (National Parliament) in response to a question from Kazi Enamul Haque, an opposition member (Jamaat-e-Islami) from Jessore-5 constituency.
The Minister stated that, according to the latest information received from Bangladeshi missions abroad, approximately 10,066 Bangladeshi citizens are currently detained or imprisoned in various foreign countries. Bangladeshi citizens arrested and serving sentences in any country are subject to that country’s legal process. Therefore, the government must continue its diplomatic efforts while respecting the legal procedures of those countries.
He further informed that upon receiving information about a Bangladeshi citizen being imprisoned abroad, the concerned Bangladeshi embassy or mission visits the prison or detention center to meet with the detainee. Subsequently, necessary information about the detained individual is collected, advice regarding the case is provided, and arrangements are made to ensure legal protection.
The Foreign Minister stated that if a detainee lacks the capacity to appoint a lawyer, the relevant Bangladeshi mission makes efforts to arrange a lawyer through the court. If the detainee’s family wishes to appoint a separate lawyer, the mission provides necessary advice and assistance.
He mentioned that if a fine needs to be paid in any case, contact is made with the detainee’s family to arrange for its payment. Simultaneously, arrangements are made for air tickets to return home. If the family is unable to bear the repatriation costs, the expenditure is covered by government funds.
He also informed that necessary airport protocols and other arrangements are made for their return to the country.
Arrangements are also made for the swift issuance of travel passes for repatriation after the completion of their prison terms.
The Foreign Minister stated that Bangladeshi missions abroad provide these services in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, and the Wage Earners’ Welfare Board.
He informed that, in some cases, strong diplomatic efforts are made to obtain general amnesty from the relevant authorities of the host country. Such diplomatic efforts have recently been undertaken to bring back Bangladeshi citizens detained in various Middle Eastern countries and three Bangladeshi fishermen detained in Myanmar.
Dr. Khalilur Rahman said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will soon launch a portal to take swift action regarding the repatriation of Bangladeshi citizens detained abroad.