How possible is it to secure justice for harassment abroad?

Several incidents of harassment have occurred abroad involving Bangladeshi political leaders and cultural activists who supported the July mass uprising. Since the incidents took place outside the country, bringing those named as being involved directly under the law and ensuring their prosecution has also proved difficult. As a result, most of these incidents remain without redress. Legal experts believe this is damaging the country’s image.

They say embassies are failing to play an appropriate role in preventing or addressing such incidents of harassment. Legal action is possible under both Bangladeshi and foreign laws. However, it remains unclear what steps the government is taking in these cases.

Last Monday, former interim government Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus was harassed at John F. Kennedy International Airport in the United States. Videos circulating on social media show several people approaching Professor Yunus aggressively and chanting slogans loudly. They were heard shouting at him, “You are a terrorist” and “Why you come here?” Several expatriate activists and supporters of the banned Awami League have been accused of harassing him.

Earlier, in 2025, Akhtar Hossain, member secretary of the National Citizen Party (NCP), was harassed at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York when he traveled to the United States to attend the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly. Eggs were thrown at him. According to eyewitnesses, local Awami League leader Mizanur Rahman was seen throwing eggs.

In November 2024, Dr. Asif Nazrul, then adviser to the ministries of law, justice and expatriates’ welfare, was harassed at Geneva Airport in Switzerland. In addition, actress Azmeri Haque Badhon was attacked and harassed in Italy in September this year. Water, soft drinks and eggs were thrown at her, and she was also physically assaulted. She filed a complaint at a local police station following the attack.

Badhon alleged that she was targeted because of her active role in the July and August 2024 student and public uprising. According to her, several of the attackers identified themselves as members of the Awami League and the banned Bangladesh Chhatra League, as well as “soldiers of Bangabandhu.”

Those named as being involved in these incidents abroad are easily escaping accountability. People who participate in various events overseas generally stay for only a short period. However, taking action against such harassment often requires considerable financial resources and time, which many of them do not have. As a result, the accused are escaping accountability and similar incidents continue to recur.

Senior Supreme Court lawyer Manzil Morshed told Agamir Somoy, “A general characteristic of a criminal offense is that the trial takes place under the legal framework of the territory where the crime is committed. Therefore, if someone believes they have been harassed by someone abroad, the case will be dealt with under the laws of the country where the incident occurred. However, if a Bangladeshi citizen commits a criminal offense abroad, the Bangladesh Penal Code provides an opportunity for the case to be tried in Bangladesh.”

According to the lawyer, the same offense cannot be tried twice or in two different places. However, if a Bangladeshi citizen commits an offense in another country and no trial takes place there, the Bangladesh government can also take action, as the Penal Code provides for such an opportunity.

“The Bangladesh government has limited options when it comes to trials abroad. It can appoint a law firm or request the government of the country concerned to take prompt and effective action,” Manzil Morshed added.

Another senior Supreme Court lawyer, Barrister Omar Faruk, told Agamir Somoy, “The embassies must play their proper role. The embassies should file cases as complainants. If the accused is a Bangladeshi citizen, they must be brought back to the country and brought to trial. If they do not hold Bangladeshi citizenship, they will be tried under the laws of the country concerned. In that case, they will face even harsher punishment.”

However, the lawyer believes the embassies are not playing their proper role. He said, “Although the government repeatedly says that action will be taken, it remains unclear what steps have been taken so far. He has said these incidents must be stopped permanently. During the Awami League’s tenure, the BNP did this, and during the BNP’s tenure, the Awami League does the same. This is severely damaging the country’s image. It will reduce foreign investment.”

Zahed Ur Rahman, the Prime Minister’s adviser on information and broadcasting, said legal action would be taken over the harassment of Professor Yunus. He said the same legal measures taken after actress Azmeri Haque Badhon was harassed in Italy would also be pursued in this case.

Journalists raised questions about the allegations of harassment against Professor Yunus at the government’s regular press briefing on Tuesday at the Secretariat, where officials provided updates on government activities. Zahed Ur Rahman made the remarks in response.

Replying to the journalists, the information adviser said, “Of course, those committing these offenses will face action. I am aware of the legal process that began after our actress, Azmeri Haque Badhon, was harassed. So the same will happen in this case as well. I want to tell Awami League terrorists living in different places abroad that if they try to take such steps, they will not go unchallenged. There is no question about that.”

Dr. Md. Zakerul Abedin, director general of the Legal Affairs Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, could not provide detailed information about the steps taken to assist citizens who face problems or become victims of criminal attacks abroad.

He told Agamir Somoy, “Law firms are often involved in providing legal services in coordination with various ministries. In such cases, assistance is sought from law firms.”