The President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has pardoned 57 Bangladeshi citizens who were convicted and sentenced to lengthy prison terms for staging a rare protest in the Gulf nation against their home country, UAE state media reported. The decision cancels the sentences of those convicted, and the pardoned individuals will be deported from the UAE, according to the state news agency WAM.
In an expedited trial in July, the Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal sentenced the 57 Bangladeshi citizens after they protested against the then-prime minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, and her government during ongoing unrest in Bangladesh. Among those sentenced, three were given life imprisonment, 53 were sentenced to 10 years, and one individual, who allegedly entered the UAE illegally and participated in the protest, received an 11-year sentence.
Charges of Unlawful Gathering and Incitement
The Public Prosecution accused the Bangladeshi nationals of “crimes of gathering in a public place and protesting against their home government with the intent to incite unrest.” The UAE, known for its strict stance on dissent, prohibits public protests and closely monitors gatherings, especially those involving political or social issues.
Pardon Follows Political Shift in Bangladesh
The presidential pardon comes shortly after UAE state media reported that President Sheikh Mohamed congratulated Muhammad Yunus on becoming Bangladesh’s interim leader. This development followed the resignation and flight of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina amid violent protests in Bangladesh. The political upheaval in Bangladesh has had international ramifications, including the UAE’s decision to release the detained protesters.
Bangladeshi Community in the UAE
Bangladeshis form one of the largest expatriate communities in the UAE, a nation of approximately 10 million people where foreign residents constitute the majority. Emiratis make up about 10% of the population. Many Bangladeshis in the UAE work in low-paid blue-collar jobs and rely on sending remittances back home to support their families. The UAE, however, maintains strict controls on freedom of expression, with political parties, labor unions, and public protests outlawed.
The recent pardon underscores the delicate balance the UAE must maintain between its strict internal security policies and its large, diverse expatriate workforce, many of whom come from politically turbulent countries. While the pardoned individuals will now face deportation, the incident serves as a reminder of the restricted civic freedoms in the Gulf nation.