Expatriates who returned from the United Arab Emirates after being affected by the July protests, along with the families of 25 expatriates currently jailed, gathered at the Hotel Intercontinental intersection in Dhaka on Sunday to press home four key demands.
According to the pre-announced program, the group was en route to the residence of the Chief Advisor when they were stopped by police at the Hotel Intercontinental intersection. As of the time of reporting, the demonstrators remained at the location.
Khaled Saifullah, a Dubai-returnee expatriate leading the movement, stated, “Some of our brothers are still in jail in Dubai. Arrangements have not been made for their release yet. For the past 8 months, we have been making various demands, including compensation, and have submitted memorandums. None of our demands have been met.”
The protesters’ four demands are as follows:
- Immediate arrangements for the release of expatriates detained in various CID offices across the Emirates, including 25 individuals held in Al Sadar Prison in Abu Dhabi, in connection with the anti-discrimination student movement.
- Official recognition of the expatriates who returned home after being affected by the anti-discrimination movement as ‘July Expatriate Fighters’.
- Proper rehabilitation for the affected expatriates who have returned to the country.
- Inclusion of those returning home due to the same case in the official state list.
