UAE Sentences 57 Bangladeshis for Protesting Against Government
The United Arab Emirates has made headlines by sentencing 57 Bangladeshi expatriates to lengthy prison terms for participating in protests against their home government. The Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal handed down the sentences of three life terms, 53 at 10 years, and one at 11 years for their involvement in the protests.
The defendants were accused of inciting riots across the UAE, leading to their arrests and subsequent trials. They will be deported after serving their prison terms, according to official Emirati news agency WAM.
These protests were in response to a controversial quota system for government jobs in Bangladesh, which critics argue benefits individuals supportive of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The demonstrations in Bangladesh resulted in 163 deaths and over 500 arrests, including opposition leaders.
As the UAE prohibits protests and considers actions against foreign states as criminal offenses, this incident has sparked debate on freedom of expression and the treatment of expatriates in the country.
Source: Press TV