Australian visa centre to open in Dhaka after Eid-ul-Fitr

Highlights:

• Australian visa application centre in Dhaka by end of March
• Centre likely to start operating after upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr
• SOP for return of Bangladeshi citizens to Bangladesh signed
• SOP will ensure repatriation, rehabilitation of Bangladeshis attempting to reach Australia illegally by sea
• At present, Australia's High Commission in New Delhi processes visas for Bangladeshis

Australia will open a Visa Application Centre in Dhaka by the end of March and it is likely to start operating right after the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr, according to Nasimul Ghani, senior secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

He shared the information while briefing reporters at the home ministry this afternoon (24 March) after the signing ceremony of the "Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the Return of Bangladeshi Citizens to Bangladesh" between the governments of Bangladesh and Australia.

The SOP will ensure the safe and quick repatriation of Bangladeshis attempting to reach Australia illegally by sea.

The event was attended by Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury and Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Susan Ryle.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam signed the agreement on behalf of Bangladesh, while Mark Whitechurch, deputy commander of Australia's Joint Agency Taskforce, signed on behalf of Australia.

The home secretary said until now, the Australian visa centre at the High Commission in New Delhi has been processing visas for Bangladeshis. "Starting from the end of this month, they [Australia] will begin operations in Dhaka. The centre will likely be officially opened right after Eid."

The development comes after the interim government last week announced that Australia has decided to process visas for Bangladeshi citizens directly from its High Commission in Dhaka.

Australian Home Minister Tony Burke called by phone and informed Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir about the matter on 20 March, according to the Chief Adviser's Press Wing.

The decision would be effective immediately, the adviser told the Advisory Council during a meeting that day.

Significant milestone 

Regarding the SOP signed today, Adviser Jahangir said, "This agreement marks a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to combat unlawful migration and human trafficking, reinforcing the strong and enduring partnership between our two nations."

He said that unlawful migration and human trafficking pose serious global challenges, jeopardising the principles of safe, orderly, and legal migration, reports BSS.

"These issues not only endanger countless lives but also threaten the integrity of skill-based and legal migration channels," he said.

The Bangladesh government remains steadfast in its commitment to eradicating these grave concerns, he added.

"We are actively implementing stringent measures to prevent dangerous and life-threatening journeys, ensuring that every Bangladeshi citizen has access to a secure and dignified migration pathway," Jahangir said.

This initiative represents a remarkable step forward in strengthening the bilateral relations and addressing migration challenges with a shared vision of security, prosperity and human dignity, he opined.

The adviser also extended his sincere gratitude to the government of Australia for taking the decision to process visa applications in Dhaka. "It will help Bangladeshi citizens to get Australian visas without further delay."

"I hope that such strong bilateral cooperation will continue in future. Let us continue our collective efforts to eradicate unlawful migration and human trafficking, ensuring a future where migration is safe, legal and beneficial for all," he concluded.

Rehabilitation of Bangladeshis attempting to enter Australia illegally

Australia will assist Bangladesh in rehabilitation of those who have been or will be detained while illegally entering Australia.

Speaking to reporters after the signing ceremony, Nasimul said, "Australia said many Bangladeshis try to enter Australia by sea from neighboring countries, Malaysia and Indonesia. Most of those who try to do so have been detained by the forces responsible for protecting the Australian border."

The home secretary said when such incidents occur, most countries usually send the people back to the country where they came from.

"Australia said it has learned from those who have been detained at the border that a class of brokers in Bangladesh tried to take them from Indonesia and Malaysia to Australia through fraud. The detainees said they sold land and borrowed money to give it to brokers to go to Australia.

"In such circumstances, Australia has proposed to rehabilitate such people according to international protocols. Bangladesh has also agreed to Australia's proposal," he added.

Nasimul further said Australia will send identification details of the detained persons and Bangladesh will verify whether they are Bangladeshi or not. "If the detained person is Bangladeshi, we will ask for their return."

A source present at the meeting told TBS that Australia has requested the home ministry to monitor the agencies that export manpower from Bangladesh to Australia. Australian officials have also recommended taking action against the agencies through which the detained people went to Australia.