CPB Urges Government to Demand Saudi Explanation and Lodge Strong Protest over Beheading of Two Bangladeshis
Abdullah Al Kafi Ratan, general secretary of the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), has said the government of Saudi Arabia must be asked to explain the beheading of two Bangladeshis, Nazrul Islam and Sweety Akter, in that country.
He also called on the Bangladesh government to take a firm stance in protest against the incident. He made the remarks at a protest rally held in front of the National Press Club on Thursday (22 October).
The CPB organised the protest rally demanding the release of Bangladeshis imprisoned in Saudi Arabia and various other countries. Several demands concerning the safety and rights of expatriate Bangladeshis were raised from the rally.
Abdullah Al Kafi Ratan said nearly 15 million people from Bangladesh work abroad. Different countries are developing through their labour and sweat, while Bangladesh's economy is also becoming prosperous at the same time.
He mentioned that more than five million Bangladeshis work in Saudi Arabia alone. Speakers at the rally said the question of safety for such a huge number of people therefore cannot be ignored in any way.
He said it must be clarified on what charges and through what process the two Bangladeshis were tried and beheaded in Saudi Arabia. He also alleged that the Bangladesh government has failed to find out the reasons behind the incident.
The CPB general secretary said that although expatriate workers face abuse and oppression abroad, no effective role of Bangladesh's embassies and consulates is seen in protecting them.
He commented that the government must become more responsible to ensure the rights and safety of expatriates. He raised questions about the role of the embassies.
He also said the bodies of many expatriate workers come back to the country every year. Their deaths and abuse abroad, and incidents of harassment at the airport after returning home, must also be viewed with importance.
Abdullah Al Kafi Ratan said the government must lodge a formal protest over the beheading of the two Bangladeshis in Saudi Arabia and seek a full explanation of the incident from that country's authorities.
He also mentioned programmes including besieging the Saudi embassy if necessary. He said the CPB, the Democratic United Front and other leftist forces will protest against the incident.
Finally, he called for building public opinion to protect the rights and safety of expatriate workers. Attention will now be on what formal response the government gives.
