Bangladeshi missions in the UAE have urged all countrymen to respect local laws and not engage in prohibited activities, which could result in the cancellation of their visas, jail time, fines, and a ban on entering the UAE.
Bangladesh Embassy in Abu Dhabi and Consulate General in Dubai asked their citizens not to take videos and photos of such activities and share any rumours and propaganda.
The missions issued the statement on July 20 after many Bangladeshis took to the streets in the UAE on Friday (July 19) against their government in Dhaka. On Monday, UAE convicted 57 Bangladeshis for rioting and inciting demonstrations in the Emirates.
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On July 22, three accused were given life for calling demonstrations and inciting riots in UAE to put pressure on their government during the recent unrest over job reservation in Bangladesh. The court also sentenced 53 others to 10 years and one defendant to 11 years for entering the country illegally and participating in the ‘gathering’.
“All expatriate Bangladeshis living in the UAE are requested to respect the laws and regulations of the host country-the UAE. Incidentally, it should be noted that, according to the laws of this country, without the prior permission of the appropriate authorities, any kind of assembly, procession or shouting slogans, indulging in any activity that may create unrest, panic or confusion in the public mind, spreading rumour/propaganda, recording video of it or any such message/image/video on social media are strictly prohibited,” the missions said in a statement to Khaleej Times on Monday.
“Uploading or sharing, disrupting road traffic etc. is strictly prohibited. In case of engaging in such activities, the concerned person is likely to face more severe punishment including cancellation of visa, jail, fine, repatriation, and ban on entering this country in the future. Therefore, it is requested not to involve yourself in such activities and also to warn your colleagues, friends and known expatriate brothers and sisters about it,” said the statement.
More than 100 Bangladeshis have been killed so far during protests against their government in the South Asian country. Demonstrations were carried out, mostly by students, demanding a change in job reservations in Bangladesh.
On Monday, Bangladesh Embassy in Abu Dhabi said the unlawful acts that were committed by “only a handful” of people don’t represent Bangladesh’s one-million-plus “peace-loving and hard-working community”.
“It has come to our attention that a group of non-resident Bangladeshi who were involved in gathering in public places at different spots in UAE, bringing out processions in protest on issues back in the home country, including recording and disseminating audio-visual footage of these actions online.
“They were arrested by the local law enforcement agencies, and the Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal on Sunday handed down sentences to a group of them. It is very unfortunate and shocking for us as well as for the Bangladeshi community in the UAE,” the embassy said in the statement.
The statement also said: “One million plus Bangladeshi people are living here in peace and happiness while considering it as their second home. They are fully respectful of the local law, regulations, traditions and customs. The reported acts committed by only a handful number of people do not represent our huge law-abiding, peace-loving and hard-working community who are equally loved and welcomed by the Emirati people and government.”
The Bangladeshi missions in UAE said they always encourage its community “to show respect to and abide by the laws and regulations of the host country and to refrain from any kind of activities which are not permissible by the UAE law.”