UAE pardons all convicted Bangladeshis over protests backing July student movement

The United Arab Emirates has pardoned the remaining 25 Bangladeshi nationals who were convicted for staging protests in support of the anti-discrimination student movement in Bangladesh in July 2024.

The information was confirmed in a press release issued by the UAE Embassy in Dhaka on Sunday, January 11. With this decision, all Bangladeshis sentenced in the UAE in connection with the protests have now been freed.

The statement said the pardon was granted following a special request from the Bangladesh government. All 25 individuals have already been released and sent back to Bangladesh. The embassy said the humanitarian gesture reflects the deep fraternal ties between the two countries and demonstrates the UAE leadership’s commitment to compassion and justice.

During the July 2024 student movement in Bangladesh, expatriate Bangladeshis in the UAE had staged demonstrations in support of the protests. As public gatherings are prohibited under the country’s strict laws, many Bangladeshis were arrested at the time and handed various prison sentences.

Earlier, in September last year, the UAE president had pardoned 188 convicted Bangladeshis following a direct appeal from chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus. The Bangladesh government had continued diplomatic and legal efforts to secure the release of the remaining prisoners. On November 28, expatriate welfare and overseas employment adviser Dr Asif Nazrul said the rest would be freed soon.

One of those arrested during the protests in the UAE died in custody.