The United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal has sentenced 57 Bangladeshi nationals for unlawful assembly related to protests against their home government. According to a report by the Emirates News Agency, three of the Bangladeshi nationals received life imprisonment sentences for inciting riots and organizing demonstrations intended to pressure the government of Bangladesh. An additional 53 individuals have been sentenced to 10 years in prison, and another has been sentenced to 11 years for entering the UAE illegally. Following the completion of their sentences, all 57 will be deported.
The court also mandated the confiscation of seized devices linked to the activities. The investigation revealed that the group was involved in inciting public unrest, engaging in public gatherings, and disrupting public security. A prosecution witness confirmed that the Bangladeshis had organized large-scale marches in the UAE, leading to obstruction of law enforcement and posing a threat to property.
Despite the defense lawyer arguing that the accused lacked criminal intent and that the evidence was insufficient, the court found adequate grounds to convict them. The [court’s decision](https://wam.ae/en/article/1411m8f-life-imprisonment-deportation-sentences-issued-abu) has drawn attention to the case amid significant unrest in Bangladesh over the government’s civil service quota system.
Just prior to these legal developments, the Supreme Court of Bangladesh had [overturned](https://www.jurist.org/news/2024/07/bangladesh-supreme-court-overturns-restoration-of-quota-system-for-government-employment/) the restoration of the quota system, following days of violent protests. The turmoil has involved deadly clashes between students and law enforcement, leading the Bangladesh government to impose a nationwide curfew and deploy the army in an attempt to restore order. The nationwide crisis has seen over 100 people lose their lives and has featured arrests of prominent opposition leaders.
The protests are driven by opposition to a rule that reserves public sector jobs for the families of independence war veterans, a policy seen by many as discriminatory and favoring pro-government groups. The unrest has escalated with students clashing with police, resulting in numerous incidents of violence. More details on the ongoing situation in Bangladesh can be found [here](https://www.jurist.org/news/2024/07/uae-court-sentences-57-bangladeshis-for-protests-against-home-government-in-country/).