Written By Lisa Murimi
A court in the United Arab Emirates has sentenced 57 Bangladeshis to long prison terms for protesting against their own government.
The state-run Wam news agency reported that three defendants received life sentences for “inciting riots in several streets across the UAE on Friday.” Fifty-three others were sentenced to 10 years in prison, and one was given an 11-year term.
The court-appointed defence lawyer argued that the gatherings lacked criminal intent and that the evidence was insufficient. However, the court rejected this defence and ordered the deportation of the defendants after serving their sentences.
Protests are effectively illegal in the UAE, where foreigners constitute nearly 90% of the population. Bangladeshis are the third largest expatriate group in the country.
The protests in the UAE mirrored broader anti-government demonstrations in Bangladesh, where over 150 people have died and 500 have been arrested amid student-led protests against government job quotas.
Wam reported that the 57 Bangladeshis “organised large-scale marches in several streets of the UAE in protest against decisions made by the Bangladeshi government,” leading to riots and disruptions of public security. Despite police warnings to disperse, the protesters remained unresponsive.
The Bangladeshi government has not commented on the sentencing, but it’s consulate in Dubai urged citizens to respect local laws.
This comes on the heels of a separate UAE court case where 43 human rights defenders and political dissidents received life sentences for allegedly creating a terrorist organisation, a move heavily criticised by human rights groups.
