UAE rulers grant royal pardons to 440 Bangladeshi prisoners on 54th Union Day
On the occasion of the 54th UAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad) in 2025, the rulers of the United Arab Emirates have granted royal pardons to 440 Bangladeshi prisoners.
As part of the Union Day celebrations, UAE leaders pardoned thousands of inmates across the country, marking one of the largest collective clemency initiatives in recent years, said a press release by the UAE Embassy today (14 January).
The pardons reflect the UAE's longstanding tradition of granting mercy on significant national and religious occasions.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
The UAE rulers regularly issue royal pardons during events such as Eid holidays and National Day, promoting forgiveness, family reunification, and social reintegration.
Recent pardon initiatives in late 2025 covered thousands of prisoners of various nationalities, including Bangladeshi citizens, offering them an opportunity for a fresh start.
The gesture underscores the UAE leadership's humanitarian values and commitment to giving those pardoned the chance to rebuild their lives and rejoin their families and communities.
Eid Al Etihad (UAE National Day), observed annually on 2 December, commemorates the historic unification of the emirates in 1971 under one flag.
Earlier on 11 January, United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan pardoned 25 Bangladeshi citizens who were previously convicted for demonstrating in the Arab country during the July Uprising in Bangladesh.
The pardon was granted following a request from Bangladesh, seeking clemency for Bangladeshi nationals arrested and sentenced by UAE courts.
According to the release, all 25 individuals have been pardoned and returned to Bangladesh.
The expatriate Bangladeshis were detained at different times in the UAE during the July 2024 uprising in Bangladesh.
