– Dozens of Bangladeshi nationals in the UAE were sentenced to prison, including three for life imprisonment, for protesting against their home government
– The protests in the UAE were in response to demonstrations in Bangladesh over a quota system for government jobs, which was partially rolled back by the country’s top court
– The Bangladeshis were indicted on charges including inciting unrest, obstructing law enforcement, causing harm to others, and damaging property
– Bangladeshi nationals make up the UAE’s third-largest expatriate community, many of whom are low-paid laborers supporting their families back home
– Political parties and labor unions are banned in the UAE, with strict laws restricting freedom of speech and limited independent media coverage.