Published: 12:25 AM, 28 October 2026
The Plight of Bangladeshi Prisoners Abroad and the Way Forward
Dr. Md. Anwar Hossain
Many Bangladeshis who ventured abroad—whether through legal or illegal channels—in search of a better life now find themselves living in subhuman conditions within the dark confines of foreign prisons. Due to a lack of adequate legal and diplomatic support, this imprisonment is not only destroying their personal and family lives but also tarnishing the nation's image.
In this context, it is essential, first and foremost, to ascertain the statistics regarding Bangladeshi prisoners, categorized by continent and country. Thousands of Bangladeshi citizens are currently held in prisons across various Asian nations. Notably, approximately 1,579 Bangladeshis are enduring dire conditions in India’s Dum Dum and Alipore Central Jails, while about 219 are held in Malaysia’s Kajang Prison. Most have been detained for years for violating Section 3 of the Passport Act, primarily due to the absence of valid travel permits.
In the Middle East, approximately 7,500 Bangladeshi citizens are imprisoned in Saudi Arabia—specifically in the central jails of Jeddah and Riyadh—for various offenses. Additionally, 420 Bangladeshis are held in Oman’s central prison, and 217 are detained in Iraq’s Abu Ghraib prison. The majority were arrested for violating Section 42 of local labor laws or Subsection 5 of immigration regulations.
The number of Bangladeshis detained in various European detention centers is rising at an alarming rate. In Greece, 414 Bangladeshis are suffering in Thessaloniki’s prisons, while 508 are enduring extreme hardship in a detention facility in Edirne, Turkey. Most were detained under Section 11 of the European Union’s border control laws or Subsection 7 of ordinances aimed at preventing illegal entry.
Across the African continent, many Bangladeshi citizens are currently held in various detention camps in Libya and South Africa, often without access to medical care. There are 11 Bangladeshis in the Johannesburg Central Prison in South Africa, and a significant number are being held in detention camps in Tripoli, Libya. Most of them are being held for violating Section 6 of the Passport Ordinance and Sub-section 3 of the regulations concerning the identification of foreign nationals.
Many Bangladeshi citizens are living in subhuman conditions in detention centers across North American countries, particularly in Mexico and the United States. Currently, 97 Bangladeshi nationals are being held at the Tapachula detention center in Mexico. Most of them are kept under strict surveillance for violating Section 14 of international migration law and Sub-section 9 of the regulations governing illegal border crossings.
In South America, one Bangladeshi citizen is currently imprisoned in the Central Prison of São Paulo, Brazil. He was arrested for entering the country illegally after falling into the clutches of human traffickers. He has been sentenced there for violating Section 22 of Brazil’s migration law and Sub-section 4 of the national security regulations.
In Australia—a developed nation in the Oceania region—39 Bangladeshi citizens are currently held in detention centers in Sydney and Melbourne. They were detained for entering the country via sea routes or by using forged documents. Most of them have been held for long periods under Section 36 of the Australian Border Force Act and Sub-section 2 of the regulations concerning immigration status.
A distressing situation also exists in the prisons of various island nations around the world, where Bangladeshi citizens are being held. For instance, 70 Bangladeshis are imprisoned in the Maafushi Prison in the Maldives, and 28 are held in the Roumieh Prison in Lebanon. Most of them are serving sentences for violating Section 50 of the local labor codes and Sub-section 8 of the residency permit regulations in those respective countries.
Bangladeshi diplomatic missions have shown negligence and failure in their duty to protect expatriates. The High Commissions and Embassies of Bangladesh have failed miserably to safeguard the fundamental human rights of Bangladeshi citizens on foreign soil. Although the 1963 Vienna Convention (under Article 36) mandates that detainees be granted consular access, these missions are failing to ensure this. Consequently, the neglect of state responsibilities has led to a severe infringement of the legal and human rights of prisoners held in foreign jails.
Due to the irresponsibility of diplomatic missions, two Bangladeshi prisoners were recently executed in Saudi Arabia. Although the list sent to the Consulate in Jeddah explicitly labeled them as "convicted," the mission failed to obtain the details of the court verdicts. This constitutes a direct violation of Section 8 of the Consular Guidelines and Subsection 3 regarding diplomatic duties, ultimately endangering the lives of the prisoners.
No modern, integrated central database system has been established within these foreign missions to maintain records of prisoners. This lack of transparency—which effectively keeps information hidden—violates Section 9 of the Right to Information Act and Subsection 4 of the Public Service Delivery Rules. As a result, the families of these prisoners are left without information, suffering immense mental distress and financial hardship.
Many Bangladeshi workers, hindered by a lack of language proficiency, are entirely unable to prove their innocence in local courts. In failing to provide translators or legal counsel, the missions are in clear violation of Section 11, Subsection 5 of the Bangladesh Wage Earners' Welfare Board Act. This absence of legal protection contributes to the prolonged detention of expatriates.
Even after completing their prison sentences, hundreds of Bangladeshi citizens remain unable to secure the necessary clearance for repatriation or air tickets to return home. A lack of coordination among the High Commissions has stalled the implementation of Section 4 of the Bangladesh Passport Order and Subsection 6 of the Emigration Rules. Consequently, long after their sentences have been served, these individuals continue to languish for years in foreign detention centers.
In such circumstances, Bangladesh missions abroad have mandatory legal obligations. There are established provisions requiring these missions to provide immediate legal assistance whenever a Bangladeshi citizen is arrested or detained abroad. Under Article 5, Paragraph 1 of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, missions are legally obligated to ensure access to detained individuals.
Missions must promptly engage with local courts to verify the validity of charges brought against any detained Bangladeshi citizen. In accordance with Section 12, Sub-section 3 of the Consular Act 2024, there is a legal provision to appoint a panel lawyer at government expense. This constitutes a vital statutory state responsibility aimed at ensuring justice for expatriates.
Every diplomatic mission is required to publish an up-to-date and consolidated list of detained Bangladeshi citizens on its official website, as mandated by Section 6, Sub-section 2 of the Right to Information Act 2009. This would enable families to easily ascertain the whereabouts of the detainees and the duration of their sentences.
Administrative procedures for the repatriation of a detainee should commence at least six months prior to the completion of their sentence. In line with Section 15, Sub-section 4 of the Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment Policy 2016, the issuance of travel permits must be facilitated. Ensuring prompt repatriation is a primary legal duty of these missions.
A special emergency fund should be established—and effectively utilized—to assist impoverished or vulnerable detainees in paying fines. Provisions for such allocations exist under Section 18, Sub-section 7 of the Wage Earners' Welfare Board Rules. Adherence to these provisions by the missions could lead to the early release of many detainees.
A 24/7 digital tracking portal and a dedicated hotline service should be promptly established under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The creation of such a database is supported by Section 9 of the International Migration Policy and Sub-section 5 of the 'Digital Bangladesh' framework. This would enable centralized, real-time monitoring of the progress of legal cases involving detained individuals.
Pre-departure orientation or training regarding the laws and regulations of the destination country should be made mandatory for all workers intending to go abroad. Under Section 20, Sub-section 4 of the Overseas Employment and Migrants Act, 2013, such training can be rendered compulsory. Increasing legal awareness would significantly reduce the rate at which Bangladeshis are arrested while abroad.
A robust inter-ministerial task force, comprising the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, should be established. This special task force can be formed under the authority granted by Section 10, Sub-section 2 of the Rules of Business, 1975. Such a joint initiative would play an effective role in facilitating the prompt release and rehabilitation of those in detention.
Reflecting my poetic sentiment and optimism: In the dark dungeons of foreign lands, our compatriots weep, yet no one seeks to uncover the tragic tales of those held captive. Why does the High Commission remain silent? Why this failure? The provisions of the law offer nothing but a deafening silence. May the light of liberation dawn and the dark night come to an end; may the government extend a helping hand, offering a glimmer of hope. May they return to their homeland, leaving all their suffering behind; I trust that the sons of Bengal will emerge victorious in their legal battles.
A permanent resolution to this protracted humanitarian crisis—involving Bangladeshi nationals held in foreign prisons—can only be achieved by ensuring the accountability of diplomatic missions, signing bilateral prisoner exchange agreements, and taking stringent legal action against human traffickers. Protecting the human rights and dignity of every Bangladeshi citizen abroad is a fundamental constitutional and moral obligation of the state.
Dr. Md. Anwar Hossain is an
essayist and an anti-narcotics
campaigner. Views expressed in
the article are the writer’s
personal opinions.
