Authorities in the United Arab Emirates have initiated an investigation and ordered an expedited trial for several Bangladeshi nationals arrested for protesting against their home government, according to state media.
The protests in the UAE were sparked by weeks of demonstrations in Bangladesh, where citizens opposed a quota system that reserved up to 30% of government jobs for relatives of veterans from the 1971 war of independence. This system was partially dismantled by Bangladesh’s top court on Sunday, marking a partial victory for the student-led protests.
On Saturday, the UAE’s attorney general’s office indicted the arrested Bangladeshis on multiple charges, including “gathering in a public place and protesting against their home government with the intent to incite unrest,” as well as obstructing law enforcement, causing harm to others, and damaging property. These details were reported by the state-owned Emirates News Agency, WAM.
“Based on the preliminary investigation results, the Public Prosecution has ordered their pretrial detention pending further investigations,” WAM stated. The report did not specify the number of Bangladeshis arrested.
Bangladeshi nationals form the third largest expatriate community in the UAE, predominantly comprising low-paid laborers who send remittances back home. The UAE, a federation of seven sheikhdoms, has a total population of over 9.2 million, with Emiratis making up only 10%.
The UAE enforces strict laws against political parties and labor unions, severely restricting freedom of speech. Most major local media outlets are either state-owned or state-affiliated, further limiting the scope for public dissent.