‘Bangladesh can do little if expatriates violate host countries’ laws’, Shama Obaed says

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed has said Bangladesh can do little when its citizens violate the laws of the countries where they live, describing the execution of two Bangladeshis in Saudi Arabia as a major lesson for expatriates.

“Many of our expatriate brothers and sisters spend their hard-earned money to go abroad. They must abide by the laws of the country where they live. If any law is violated, Bangladesh, as a foreign state, has little it can do,” she said.

The state minister made the remarks while speaking to journalists at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday afternoon.

She said the government had not yet officially confirmed the details of the death sentences carried out against the two Bangladeshis in Saudi Arabia. However, it had already written to the Saudi authorities seeking further information.

Shama said Saudi Arabia had its own legal system, which had been in place for many years, and Bangladeshi nationals living there must comply with its laws.

She added that, just as foreign nationals who commit crimes in Bangladesh are tried under Bangladeshi law, Saudi Arabia would apply its own laws to offences committed within its jurisdiction.

“It is extremely unfortunate. We do not expect to hear such news. Once we receive a response from the Saudi government, the matter will become clearer, and we will take the necessary steps to bring their bodies back to the country,” she said.

Citing sources at the labour wing of the Saudi mission, Shama said the two Bangladeshis had allegedly committed serious offences, including desecration and adultery, inside a mosque in Makkah. Such acts are considered grave offences under Saudi law and carry severe penalties, she added.

Government steps up efforts to curb irregular migration to Europe

The state minister also spoke about efforts to increase legal migration of Bangladeshi workers to European countries and prevent irregular migration.

She said the government had recently held a positive meeting with the European Union on the issue.

The BNP-led government was committed to stopping irregular migration, she said, adding that special initiatives had been launched at the district level to identify networks involved in human trafficking and sending people to Europe through irregular channels.

The government is working with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to address the issue, she added.

Shama expressed hope that curbing irregular migration would help expand legal employment opportunities for skilled Bangladeshi workers in European markets.

However, she did not provide a specific timeline for introducing European visa processing facilities in Dhaka or adjusting visa quotas in the following year to address existing shortfalls.