Human Rights Forum Bangladesh (HRFB) calls for an independent review of the victims’ trials and consular support, saying Saudi authorities’ failure to notify Bangladesh did not absolve its diplomatic mission of responsibility.
The family in Brahmanbaria is appealing to the Bangladesh government to help bring back his body, while tragedy further struck the household as his aunt passed away from a heart attack following the news of his death. Photo: TBS
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The family in Brahmanbaria is appealing to the Bangladesh government to help bring back his body, while tragedy further struck the household as his aunt passed away from a heart attack following the news of his death. Photo: TBS
Human Rights Forum Bangladesh (HRFB) has demanded an independent review of the Bangladesh diplomatic mission’s role following the execution of two Bangladeshi nationals in Saudi Arabia, raising questions about whether they received adequate legal and consular assistance.
In a statement issued today (21 October), the rights organisation expressed deep concern over the executions in the Mecca region and called for accountability if any failure by Bangladeshi officials to protect the citizens’ rights is established.
According to reports published by The Daily Star on 19 and 20 October, Nazrul Islam Abdul Basir and Sweety Akhtar were executed on 14 October.
A letter sent by the labour wing of the Bangladesh Consulate in Jeddah to the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment on 18 October reportedly said the two had been detained since August 2023 in separate cases.
The letter reportedly stated that a list of detainees received by the consulate on 30 September did not include their sentences, although sentencing details were provided for other detainees. It also said Saudi authorities had not formally or informally notified the Bangladesh Embassy or consulate about the executions.
HRFB questioned what steps the consulate had taken to investigate the missing sentencing information and safeguard the two citizens’ rights before their executions.
The organisation stressed that the absence of notification from Saudi authorities did not absolve Bangladesh’s diplomatic mission of its own responsibilities.
It called for disclosure of the information received by the consulate and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the steps taken in response, and whether officials had identified the risk of execution early enough to intervene.
Citing the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, HRFB called for an assessment of whether the two Bangladeshis received fair trials, effective legal representation, confidential consultations with lawyers, interpretation services, access to appeals and clemency procedures, and consular assistance.
Media reports say the consulate has sent a note verbale to the Mecca branch of Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry seeking copies of the verdicts and detailed information about the cases.
HRFB urged the Bangladesh government to pursue the matter through formal diplomatic channels, obtain the relevant documents and publish the findings of an independent review into the consulate’s actions and coordination with the foreign ministry.
The organisation also called for stronger safeguards for Bangladeshis facing criminal charges or the risk of execution abroad.
It demanded accountability if negligence or a failure to fulfil official duties is established and urged the government to ensure fair compensation for the families of the two executed citizens.
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