By Hemayet Hossain

The recent execution of two Bangladeshi nationals, Nazerul Islam Abdul Bashir and Citi Akhter, by Saudi Arabian authorities in Makkah marks a profoundly troubling incident. According to media reports, the two individuals were convicted on charges of alleged immoral activities inside a mosque. Beyond the tragic loss of life, what makes this development particularly alarming is that the Bangladeshi Embassy or Consulate in Saudi Arabia was reportedly kept entirely in the dark throughout the entire process—from their arrest and trial to their execution.

This incident is not merely an isolated tragedy; it exposes systemic vulnerabilities in international diplomatic protocol, the legal protection of migrant workers, and the operational efficacy of Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Both Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia are signatories to the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. Article 36 of the 1963 Convention explicitly mandates that when a foreign national is arrested or detained abroad, the host country must inform the consulate of the detainee's home nation without delay. Furthermore, the host country is obligated to facilitate legal representation and consular access for the detained person.

If Saudi authorities denied these individuals consular assistance and failed to inform Bangladeshi officials during the judicial proceedings, it constitutes a clear violation of international consular law. Executing foreign citizens without granting them adequate legal representation, defense, or consular access raises fundamental questions regarding due process and human rights guarantees.

Remittance sent by Bangladeshi migrant workers remains a cornerstone of the national economy. Yet, time and again, Bangladeshi diplomatic missions abroad appear unable or unprepared to provide timely legal and humanitarian support to citizens in distress.

Issuing a note verbale (formal diplomatic note) or requesting explanations after an execution has taken place does not absolve diplomatic missions of their primary responsibility: safeguarding citizens while they are alive and facing legal jeopardy.

A legal trial resulting in capital punishment inevitably takes time. This raises critical questions : Consulate in Jeddah or the Embassy in Riyadh play during this period ? ; were diplomatic officials unaware of the detention, or is there a lack of a proactive intelligence and monitoring mechanism within our foreign missions ? ; relying on reactive diplomatic notes rather than proactive engagement reflects institutional inertia and systemic weakness.

Uncertainty also remains regarding the verification of the deceased individuals' identities, the repatriation of their remains, and support for their families back home. The recurring gap between official rhetoric regarding migrant welfare and the reality on the ground reinforces public skepticism and deepens the frustration of the expatriate community.

To ensure the safety, dignity, and legal protection of Bangladeshi citizens abroad, the Government of Bangladesh must adopt a far more assertive diplomatic postures : Lodge a strong, unequivocal protest with Saudi authorities regarding the breach of consular notification under Article 36 of the Vienna Convention ; engage in direct bilateral talks to establish binding protocols for timely consular notifications regarding any legal proceedings involving Bangladeshi nationals and overhaul consular operations in key destination countries to establish effective tracking mechanisms for detained citizens.

Without concrete policy action and proactive consular vigilance, the fundamental rights and safety of millions of Bangladeshi migrant workers will remain at serious risk.

The rights of expatriate Bangladeshid must be ensured at any cost. A probe body should be formed in this connction. The Foreign Ministry and Embassy officials must be punished if any faults are found .