Rights group demands accountability over Bangladeshis killed, missing in Russia war

Human Rights Support Society (HRSS) has called for accountability over the deaths and disappearances of Bangladeshis in Russia’s war, urging the government to repatriate the bodies of those killed, locate the missing and investigate allegations of recruitment fraud.

In a statement issued today (22 October), the rights organisation expressed deep concern over reports of Bangladeshi nationals being killed or going missing in the war, as well as the failure to bring the bodies of those killed back home.

Citing media reports, HRSS said at least 54 Bangladeshis had reportedly died in the war over the past three years. It also referred to recent reports that at least 20 of 30 Bangladeshis recruited with promises of jobs had died.

The organisation called for a comprehensive investigation to establish the status of those killed or missing, determine whether recruitment fraud had occurred and examine the roles of the authorities concerned.

HRSS said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment had a responsibility to protect Bangladeshi citizens abroad. It demanded that the two ministries publicly explain the measures they had taken and any shortcomings in handling the cases.

The organisation said officials should be held accountable if negligence was established.

It also called for a time-bound, impartial investigation to identify those responsible, including recruiters, brokers and others involved, and to take legal action where warranted.

HRSS urged the government to take immediate diplomatic steps to repatriate the bodies of deceased Bangladeshis, locate those missing and formally inform their families once deaths had been reliably confirmed.

The rights group further demanded compensation, insurance benefits, financial assistance and rehabilitation for the families of those killed.

It called for stronger oversight of overseas recruitment, risk assessments and accountability mechanisms to prevent human trafficking, illegal recruitment and fraud.

HRSS said the state could not evade its responsibility to protect the lives and safety of citizens abroad, urging the government to take immediate action to support affected families and hold those responsible accountable.