UAE President Pardons 57 Bangladeshi Protesters, Initiates Deportation
The pardoned individuals were convicted in July after protesting against former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has pardoned 57 Bangladeshi nationals sentenced to long prison terms for protesting against their home government in the Gulf state. This unexpected decision follows diplomatic discussions between the UAE and Bangladesh, amidst recent political turmoil in Dhaka.
The pardoned individuals were convicted in July after protesting against former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Three were given life sentences, 53 were sentenced to 10 years, and one received 11 years. The charges involved "gathering in a public place with intent to incite unrest," a serious crime in the UAE, where public protests are effectively illegal.
The July 21 trial drew international scrutiny. UAE state media reported that the protests had caused "riots, disruption of public security, obstruction of law enforcement, and endangerment of public and private property." However, the defendants’ lawyer argued that the gatherings were peaceful, and the evidence was insufficient.
Amnesty International condemned the UAE’s “extreme reaction to the mere existence of a public protest,” while Human Rights Watch verified videos showing peaceful demonstrations without violence or incitement. The footage, shared on platforms like TikTok and X, showed Bangladeshi citizens chanting and marching in various locations across the UAE.
The pardon, announced by UAE state news agency WAM, "halts the implementation of sentences" and initiates deportation for those involved. This decision came shortly after Sheikh Mohamed spoke with Bangladesh's interim Prime Minister, Muhammad Yunus, who took over after Sheikh Hasina fled Bangladesh following violent unrest over government job quotas.
Reports indicate Sheikh Hasina has unsuccessfully sought asylum in the UK, the US, and the UAE. She resigned and left Bangladesh on August 5, after student-led protests led to widespread chaos and hundreds of deaths.
The UAE's pardon of the Bangladeshi protesters reflects its broader policy on dissent. The country, where foreigners make up nearly 90% of the population, including a significant Bangladeshi community, enforces strict regulations against public assembly and protests.
Human rights advocates have called for a more lenient approach to peaceful assembly, particularly for expatriates who often face harsh penalties for public protests. However, the UAE's swift move to deport the protesters highlights its firm stance on maintaining order and security.
