USA Bureau 

Immigrants International Inc. has expressed deep concern over the recent execution of two Bangladeshi nationals in Saudi Arabia on October 14, calling upon relevant authorities to ensure complete transparency and accountability regarding the judicial proceedings.

Attorney Moin Chowdhury, Executive Director of US-based Immigrants International Inc. and Director of the American International Bar, issued a statement to news agency NYVoices24.com in New York on Monday.

Highlighting that Bangladeshi diplomatic missions were not notified in advance of the executions, Attorney Moin Chowdhury urged a transparent, impartial, and comprehensive investigation into the overall circumstances surrounding the incident.

The statement cited the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, which guarantees crucial consular protections for foreign nationals detained abroad. Specifically, Article 36 guarantees the right to consular communication and access, while Article 37(a) stipulates that host nations must notify the relevant consular post if appropriate information is available regarding the death of a foreign national.

Although the convention does not explicitly mandate unconditional advance notification prior to every execution, Immigrants International stressed that access to consular assistance, legal representation, notification of rights, and a thorough factual review of the case remain essential obligations.

In light of the developments, Immigrants International urged the Saudi government to provide the Bangladesh government with relevant judicial records and a full explanation of the circumstances leading to the executions. The organization also urged the Bangladesh government to maintain diplomatic efforts to uncover the facts and determine whether the consular rights of the deceased citizens were upheld.

Attorney Moin Chowdhury added that relevant international human rights bodies should review documented concerns within their jurisdiction. He affirmed that Immigrants International will explore diplomatic, legal, and human rights-based avenues to ensure transparency, due process, and protection for immigrant communities worldwide.