HC writ over consular aid to 2 B’deshis executed in Saudi Arabia

A writ petition has been filed with the High Court accusing the Foreign Ministry and other relevant authorities of failing to provide timely consular assistance to Bangladeshi citizens abroad, following the execution of two Bangladeshis in Saudi Arabia on October 14.

The public interest litigation seeks court directives and a rule asking why the authorities’ alleged failure to provide timely consular assistance should not be declared unlawful and inconsistent with Articles 27, 31 and 32 of the Constitution.

Supreme Court lawyer and FM Associates partner Tasmiya Nuhia Ahmed filed the petition in the relevant High Court section on Wednesday, naming herself as the petitioner.

The respondents include the foreign secretary, the secretary of the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, the director general of the Wage Earners’ Welfare Board, Bangladesh’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, the consul general in Jeddah and the head of the Labour Welfare Wing there.

The petition seeks an order directing the Foreign Ministry and the Expatriates’ Welfare Ministry to issue instructions to all Bangladesh missions abroad within 72 hours.

The proposed instructions include urgently reviewing known cases involving Bangladeshis facing the death penalty, identifying upcoming deadlines for appeals or clemency petitions, assigning responsible officers and ensuring lawful consular communication and necessary protective measures.

It also seeks an order requiring the relevant authorities to submit affidavits within 14 days explaining what records they held and what assistance they provided in the cases involving the two Bangladeshis executed in Saudi Arabia.

The petition argues that authorities need to take an active role in urgent cases when detainees’ families lack the means to submit applications, or when language barriers and difficulties accessing legal assistance prevent them from seeking help.

While acknowledging the diplomatic steps taken by the government after the executions, the petitioner has asked the court to examine documentary evidence to determine whether assistance was provided in time.

The petition also calls for the identities of the individuals mentioned in media reports, details of their cases and the extent of consular assistance to be verified through official records.

No order has been sought against any foreign state or court. The relief sought concerns the responsibilities of the relevant Bangladeshi authorities.