Dhaka:Bangladesh's State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Humaiun Kobir, stated that the country expects foreign governments to notify it when Bangladeshi nationals face criminal proceedings abroad. This would enable Bangladesh to provide consular assistance to its citizens.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the minister mentioned that Bangladesh had requested an explanation from Saudi Arabia regarding a gap in information-sharing about the reported executions of two Bangladeshis. Kobir emphasized that Bangladesh would inform Saudi authorities if a Saudi national were arrested in Bangladesh, allowing them to extend consular aid.
He further noted that Bangladesh anticipates similar communication from Saudi Arabia and other nations to assist its nationals effectively. Kobir highlighted a lapse in the information-sharing process based on reports about the executions and mentioned ongoing discussions to pinpoint where the communication gap occurred.
Kobir acknowledged that Saudi Arabia has its own laws and stressed that anyone traveling there must adhere to them. He expressed Bangladesh's concerns about information-sharing and procedures, adding that the reported offenses were disappointing and unacceptable, especially given the sacred nature of the site involved.
The state minister also underscored Bangladesh's strong relations with Saudi Arabia and expressed optimism for future bilateral ties under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and the current government. He briefed journalists on his recent overseas visit, which included attending the CICA summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, and the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers' meeting in Baghdad.
During the OIC meeting, Kobir advocated for member states to help resolve the Rohingya crisis and co-chaired an ad hoc ministerial meeting on Rohingya accountability. He indicated that discussions focused on the Rohingya issue and the potential for OIC member states to collaborate in promoting peace. When asked about discussions regarding Bangladesh's role in Middle East stability, he noted that no substantive talks occurred on this matter during the visit.