UAE Court Sentences 57 Bangladeshis to Long Prison Terms for Protests

A court in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has given long prison sentences to 57 Bangladeshis for protesting against their own government. According to the state-run WAM news agency, three of the defendants received life sentences for “inciting riots in several streets across the UAE.” Fifty-three others were sentenced to 10 years, and one received 11 years.

During the trial on Sunday, their court-appointed lawyer argued that the protests had no criminal intent and that the evidence was not sufficient. Amnesty International criticized the UAE’s severe response, calling it an “extreme reaction to the mere existence of a public protest.”

Protests are largely illegal in the UAE, where foreigners make up nearly 90% of the population, with Bangladeshis being the third largest expatriate group.

The protests in the UAE were related to ongoing unrest in Bangladesh, where more than 150 people have been killed and 500 arrested during student-led demonstrations against quotas on government jobs. On Monday, some protest leaders in Bangladesh gave the government a 48-hour ultimatum to lift a nationwide curfew, restore internet services, and demanded the resignation of officials they hold responsible for violence against demonstrators. This unrest is a significant challenge for Sheikh Hasina, who has been the prime minister of Bangladesh for 15 years.

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WAM reported that the trial revealed the 57 Bangladeshis had organized large-scale marches in the UAE to protest decisions made by the Bangladeshi government. Despite police warnings to disperse, the protesters did not comply. The court rejected the defense’s arguments and ordered that the defendants be deported after serving their sentences.

There has been no immediate comment from the Bangladeshi government, but the Bangladeshi consulate in Dubai urged citizens to respect local laws in a social media post on Sunday.