Saudi execution of 2 Bangladeshis a ‘lesson’: Shama
Graphics: Agamir Somoy
State Minister of Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said detailed information has been requested from Saudi Arabia regarding the execution of two Bangladeshis.
She added that neither the Ministry of Foreign Affairs nor the Bangladesh Mission in Saudi Arabia was informed about the punishment or its execution.
Shama made these remarks at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday afternoon.
Although not informed in advance, the state minister views this incident as a “lesson” for Bangladeshi workers. She noted, “When a violation of law occurs, at that time there is really not much for me to do for Bangladeshi citizens. Many foreigners also come and commit offenses in Bangladesh, and according to Bangladesh’s laws and regulations, they are jailed; they have to go to jail.
“And whichever country it is now, the laws and regulations of that country will prevail. The laws of that country will prevail. Therefore, I think this can also be a lesson for us. However, this is certainly unfortunate, because we do not expect to receive any more such news, nor do we want to receive such news.”
Shama said, “Saudi Arabia has its own legal framework. In that legal framework, when someone commits an offense or a heinous act, according to their law, they execute the sentence accordingly. So, we think that is what happened.”
Citing a message sent to the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from the Labor Welfare Wing in Jeddah, the state minister added, “What was said there is that they engaged in adultery inside a mosque in the city of Mecca, and in Saudi Arabia’s legal framework, they perhaps viewed that as a heinous act, and according to their laws, their court took this action.”
She noted Bangladesh maintains good relations with Saudi Arabia, especially after the new government assumed office. Therefore, Dhaka is waiting to receive detailed information from Riyadh regarding the matter.
When asked whether Saudi Arabia violated the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (VCCR) by failing to inform Bangladesh prior to the trial, the state minister said, “When or how the incident occurred was not communicated to our mission. At this stage, I do not want to comment on why they were not informed. Because the Saudi government has not yet given us complete information. After receiving the information, I will be able to state it more clearly.”
