ABU DHABI // The UAE is set to sign a deal with Bangladesh within months regarding prisoner swap.
This could lead to about 900 Bangladeshis serving out their jail terms at home.
“The UAE authorities have sent us a draft on the proposal and more or less it [prisoner swap] has been finalised,” Muhammad Imran, the Bangladeshi ambassador to the UAE, said.
“We are expecting a meeting sometime in a couple of months. Then the two parties will sit together and finalise it.”
Mr Imran said he had spoken to many Bangldeshi inmates and they were interested in the initiative. While jail terms would not be reduced, he said it would give offenders the chance for a better life.
According to the Ministry of the Interior, about 800 to 900 Bangladeshi prisoners are serving jail terms here.
“We hope that within two months we will sign this,” said Mr Imran. He noted Bangladesh and the UAE had many things in common and the exchange was a positive step.
“Our people have been here for so many decades. They arrived in the UAE in the early days of the emirates in the 1970s and worked in its development. They built houses in Baniyas, Abu Dhabi city and Al Ain.”
They have accomplished this when big construction companies were not available here, he noted.
“Such agreements will further cement our ties. It doesn’t mean that all inmates will be transferred to our jails but it depends on their choice.”
Exact details about how the scheme will work are expected to be announced when the deal is formally signed.
However, it is believed inmates who want to serve their time at home can apply. UAE authorities will then examine their case.
Most Bangladeshis are in local jails for offences such as fighting in labour camps and non-payment of loans. A few had committed major crimes.
“I have visited several UAE prisons like Al Wathba, Al Ain in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah jails as well, and they are well taken care off,” Mr Imran said.
He said living in their own environment, speaking their own language and meeting with their families would help to rehabilitate them.
Most prisoners are repatriated to Bangladesh when they have complete their jail term and the UAE covers their travel cost. If they do not have any identity documents, embassy officials provide a one-way travel permit. Under the proposed deal, repatriation costs will be shared between the two parties.
Mr Imran said he did not know of any Emiratis in Bangladeshi jails, but the deal would be two way.
About 700,000 Bangladeshis live in the UAE.
Bilateral trade between the countries was US$967 million (Dh3.55 billion) in the 2012-2013 fiscal year.
“There are deep-rooted relations between Bangladesh and the UAE. It is based on trust and confidence,” Mr Imran said.
“Our relationship with the emirates is very strong as we share similar culture and religion and in the future it will grow further.”
anwar@thenational.ae
