Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) is seriously concerned by the forced repatriation of Bangladeshi workers from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait following alleged torture by the police forces in each of these countries.

The statements of the repatriated workers and their visible injuries demonstrate that they were subjected to brutal torture. The alleged non-cooperation and inaction of the Bangladesh High Commission  in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia respectively in responding to this situation is a cause of further concern. From press reports we came to know that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement stating, “ only those who were confirmed to  have been involved in the violence have been repatriated.” This is an unfortunate statement by the Ministry and reflects a very submissive  foreign policy approach on the part of the Government, as we believe that the movement by the migrant workers demanding increase in their wages was in due exercise of their fundamental human rights. And if there were any instance of violence by them, steps could have been taken against the offenders following the due process of law. The failure to take such action if required, and instead sending the workers back in a penniless state after allegedly beating and torturing them cannot be acceptable.

Migrant workers make a huge contribution both to the national economy and to the development of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, and this must be emphasized in the diplomatic negotiations. We believe that Bangladesh should ensure that the diplomatic initiatives undertaken by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as mentioned in its statement are not wholly abject. It is the duty of the Government to ensure safe lawful migration of workers and also to ensure that they are not subjected to human rights violations in the receiving countries. We believe that the Government has seriously failed to perform these duties.

We hope that the Government will address this issue urgently and take immediate and effective steps to protect the fundamental human rights of Bangladeshi migrant workers in different countries.