Separate expatriate tribunal needed urgently: Manzil Murshid

Senior Supreme Court lawyer and President of the human rights organisation Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB), Manzil Murshid, has remarked that a separate expatriate tribunal needs to be formed in Bangladesh to ensure quick legal redress for various problems and violations of expatriates' rights.

He made these remarks while speaking as chief guest at a seminar titled 'The Need for Forming an Expatriate Tribunal in Bangladesh' at BD Fusions in Donforth, Toronto, Canada, on Saturday, September 19. The HRPB Canada branch organised the seminar.

Manzil Murshid said, "Expatriates in Bangladesh face various irregularities and violations of rights, including in property matters. HRPB has been providing legal assistance in such incidents. However, due to the lengthy process of conventional legal redress, expatriates are often deprived of effective remedies."

He said, "A special tribunal is needed to quickly dispose of the various complaints of expatriates. If such a tribunal is formed, it will not only ensure quick disposal of expatriates' complaints but also build trust among them. Otherwise, there is a risk that expatriates' investment and remittance flow to Bangladesh could be hindered, which could also have a negative impact on the country's economy."

Speakers at the seminar said Bangladeshis living in Canada face complications regarding property, investment and various rights in their home country. They demanded the formation of an expatriate tribunal to the Bangladesh government to ensure easy and quick legal redress for these problems. At the same time, the speakers sought the cooperation of the Canadian government to ensure the fundamental rights of the Bangladeshi community living in Canada.

The seminar was presided over by Afia Begum, President of the HRPB Canada branch. HRPB Vice President Md Shahid Uddin, Canadian Diplomatic Protocol Consultant Rashid Khan, community leader Barrister Alamgir, Vice President of the Montreal Association Md Morsalin, CEO of Climate Channel Sanjay Chaki and Vice President of the Canadian Liberal Party Ehsanul Hafiz spoke at the seminar. The programme was conducted by Salman Arefin, Secretary of the HRPB Canada branch.

In her presidential address, Afia Begum said expatriates living in Canada face various complications regarding their assets and investments in Bangladesh. She said a separate expatriate tribunal in Bangladesh is urgent to establish expatriates' rights by resolving these problems quickly.