The United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed has issued a pardon for 57 Bangladeshi nationals who were jailed for organizing a protest against their government within the UAE. According to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), the pardon was followed by an immediate order from the UAE's Attorney-General, Chancellor Dr. Hamad Al Shamsi, to halt the implementation of their sentences and commence deportation procedures.
Among those sentenced, three Bangladeshi expatriates faced life imprisonment, while 53 others were sentenced to 10 years in prison and one individual to 11 years. These sentences have now been canceled, and the UAE government is arranging for their deportation back to Bangladesh.
The Attorney-General emphasized the importance of respecting the UAE’s laws and highlighted that while the country allows freedom of expression, it must be conducted within the bounds of the law to ensure that such actions do not harm national interests or public safety.
This development follows a wave of protests in Bangladesh that began with a student-led movement against public sector job quotas and evolved into a broader uprising. The protests intensified, leading to the resignation and departure of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India in early August.
The UAE's stance on maintaining public order and respecting lawful expression was reiterated, with a reminder that the state provides legitimate avenues for expressing opinions.
For further details on this situation, please refer to the Al Arabiya English news platform.
This blog will detail the recent decision by the UAE government to pardon Bangladeshi nationals who were jailed for protesting against their own government. The post will explore the background of the protests, the reasons for the detentions, and the UAE's motivations behind granting the pardon.
