'July expatriate warriors': Families of migrant workers stage sit-in demanding rehabilitation

Families of Bangladeshi migrant workers who returned from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and other countries staged a sit-in on Sunday (22 June), demanding rehabilitation for those affected by the 2024 July Uprising.

The protesters, along with families of 25 detained expatriates, staged a blockade in front of Hotel Intercontinental in the capital. 

This morning, as part of their pre-announced programme, they attempted to march towards the chief adviser's residence but were obstructed by the police at the Hotel Intercontinental intersection.

Ramna Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Golam Faruq said, "During the 2024 July uprising, some expatriates detained in the UAE were released, but several others have not yet been freed. The protest is aimed at urging the government to take steps for their release. We are speaking with them. A team from among them will go to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs."

They began their sit-in protest at around 10:00 am in the Paribagh intersection. 

During the event, they presented four demands, which include the immediate release of 25 detainees and other migrants arrested in cases filed over last year's Anti-discrimination Student Movement.

They also sought state recognition of affected migrants as "July Expatriate Warriors."

Ensuring the rehabilitation of returnee migrants and inclusion of all migrants affected by the same case in the official state list were also part of their demands.

"If our demands are not fully met, we will march peacefully toward the chief adviser's residence." Mizanur Rahman, a protesting Abu Dhabi returnee, told The Business Standard. 

At one point during the demonstration, around 12:30 pm, the protesters issued a 30-minute ultimatum. 

Announcing the ultimatum, one protester Sagir Ahmed Talukder said, "Seven of our representatives have been asked to go to the chief adviser's residence. But we refused. We've already been deceived three times after going there. 

"Today, they must come here and resolve the matter. If no one arrives from the chief adviser's residence within the next 30 minutes, we will announce stricter programmes."

The sit-in was announced in a press release issued on Friday (21 June). 

It stated that, as part of the 2024 July Uprising, they have been submitting memorandums to various ministries and the office of the chief adviser for a long time, but their demands remain unmet.

The statement further noted that although Adviser on Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Asif Nazrul assured them of their rehabilitation, no action has been taken. 

The migrants alleged that although 189 individuals were released from prison after the movement, 25 Bangladeshis remain detained in Al Sadr prison in Abu Dhabi, and over a hundred more are being held in various CID offices across the UAE.

Expatriates who were forced to return from Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries after joining protests in solidarity with Bangladesh's Anti-discrimination Student Movement have been demanding government rehabilitation and assistance in returning to their former workplaces. 

Acknowledging that protests are banned abroad, protesters said they were compelled by conscience to act after witnessing the government's violent crackdown on students, risking their lives to support the movement through human chains and demonstrations.

Presenting the demands at today's event, Khaled Saifullah, a returnee expatriate from Dubai, said, "Some of our brothers are still imprisoned in Dubai. Arrangements for their release have not yet been made. For the past eight months, we have been voicing various demands, including compensation, and have submitted memorandums — but none of our demands have been fulfilled."

In front of the Intercontinental Hotel, protesters attempted to break through the barricade, some minor scuffles occurred. 

The demonstrators then wrapped themselves in burial shrouds and continued their sit-in at the spot. Police have placed barricades in front of them to block the way.