Parliamentary committee seeks details on execution of 2 Bangladeshis in Saudi Arabia

The parliamentary standing committee on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sought detailed information from the ministry about the execution of two Bangladeshis in Saudi Arabia. The committee has also recommended measures to prevent similar incidents and disciplinary action against any consular officials found negligent in the case.

According to a press release issued by the Parliament Secretariat, the committee held its third meeting at the Parliament House on Sunday, chaired by its president, Joharat Adib Chowdhury. Members ABM Mosharraf Hossain, SK Azizul Bari, Sayeed Al Noman, Humam Quader Chowdhury and Sanjida Islam attended the meeting. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir was also present as a special invitee.

The meeting included a detailed discussion on the activities and staffing of Bangladesh’s diplomatic missions in Saudi Arabia.

The press release said the committee had sought information from the ministry about the recent beheading of two Bangladeshi nationals in Saudi Arabia. In response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it had requested detailed information from the Saudi authorities.

The committee recommended that the ministry provide a full account of the incident as soon as the information becomes available. It also asked the ministry to explain what measures would be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future and what action had been taken, if any negligence was found on the part of the consular officials concerned.

The committee also asked the ministry to present its modernisation plan for improving services at Bangladesh’s diplomatic missions in Saudi Arabia. It further recommended taking necessary measures to protect Bangladeshi women migrant workers employed in Saudi Arabia and various East Asian countries.

On 14 October, Saudi authorities reportedly carried out the death sentences of two Bangladeshis, identified as Nazrul Islam and Sweety Akter, over allegations of engaging in “immoral activities” at a mosque in Mecca. Bangladesh has said Saudi Arabia did not notify it before carrying out the executions.

Following media reports on the incident, the Bangladesh Consulate in Jeddah sent a letter to the Saudi authorities seeking detailed information about the two nationals.