London, November 7, 2024: British-Bangladeshi professionals and intellectuals organised a round table meeting on “One and a half million expatriate Bangladeshis: How they can play a role in nation building”. In this round table meeting held in the auditorium of the London School of Commerce and IT on Wednesday evening, November 6, the speakers said that expatriates have played an important role in the anti-discrimination and anti-fascist movement. Expatriates in different countries have besieged Embassies and High Commissions from their respective locations, holding meetings regularly day after day. More than fifty expatriates have been jailed for protesting in the Middle East.

Finally, the expatriates shocked the government by stopping sending remittances for a month before August 5. The concerned Adviser and the Governor of Bangladesh Bank have recently said that after the current Interim Government took over, due to the increase in the remittance flow of expatriates, the foreign loan installments have been paid without touching the foreign reserves. So there is no chance of neglecting over one and a half crore expatriates. Therefore, it is very reasonable to take at least 10% expatriate Bangladeshis in the Advisory Council in the management of the country.

The speakers have also said that we have full support for the current Interim Government. This Government must succeed by any means. Bangladesh will fail if the government fails. After 53 years, a golden opportunity to build the country has come through the successful mass uprising. Depriving the 10% of the total population of Bangladeshis who live abroad from this opportunity will harm the country. There are about 15 independent and sovereign countries in the world, each of which has a total population of less than one and a half million. Therefore, it is not possible to sustainably reform or repair the country by neglecting such a large number of expatriates. If Bangladesh satisfies the one and a half million expatriates and accepts their fair and reasonable demands, in return they will see that the expatriates will send billions of dollars in remittances and boost the country's economy and take the country to unique heights.

Former Senator of Dhaka University Nasrullah Khan Junayed presided over and eminent lawyer and constitutional expert Barrister Nazir moderated the round table meeting. Renowned journalist Oliullah Noman gave a welcome speech. Eminent educationist and former Professor of Dhaka University Hasanat Hossain MBE was present as the Chief Guest and distinguished Islamic personality Professor Abdul Quader Saleh was present as the Special Guest. Eminent lawyers Barrister Omar Farooq, Barrister Iqbal Hossain, Barrister Hamidul Haque Affindi Liton, former army officer Amin Chowdhury, Barrister Alimul Haque Liton, Barrister M Faysal, prominent businessman Rafiqul Islam Emad, Barrister Ali Imam, youth leader Nasir Uddin, researcher Shariful, human rights activist Tanveer Hasan, one of the coordinators of UK’s anti-discrimination movement Nahid Ahmed, community activist Sajedur Rahman, social worker Aminul Islam etc have participated the discussion. During the two hours of lively discussions and exchanges, many important points emerged.

The round table meeting unanimously adopted the following recommendations and demands:

1. Expatriates have various legitimate demands and grievances. Although these just claims and complaints were sent to the Government in the past, no proper or satisfactory response was received. However, remittances sent by expatriates are the second largest foreign exchange earning source of the country's economy. It is not right to neglect this sector at all. The Interim Government has already constituted 10 Reform Commissions in various fields. Similarly, we demand the formation of a high-powered Reform Commission to reform the fair rights of expatriates, various demands, service standards and complaints.

2. More than 15 million expatriates, i.e. about 10% of the total population, are living outside Bangladesh. They are citizens of Bangladesh. Around 400,000 Chakmas (distinct tribal members) have representation in every government, including the current Interim Government. But the surprising fact is that there is no expatriate representative in any Government for 15 million expatriates. Therefore, we demand that the present Interim Government should have at least two Advisers from among the over one and a half crore expatriates.

3. Many Bangladeshi dual-citizens live in Britain, Europe, America and Australia. Although many take dual-citizenship for practical purposes, they are Bangladeshi citizens by birth and according to the Supreme Court's ruling, no one can take away the citizenship acquired by birth. According to Article 66(2)(c) of the Constitution of Bangladesh, dual citizens cannot be members of Parliament. Even if dual citizens can become judges of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh, or even the Chief Justice, there is no reasonable reason to put constitutional barriers and discrimination in the way of becoming MPs. It should be noted that in Britain, the cradle of democracy, dual citizens can become members of the British Parliament. Not only that, there is no obligation to be a British citizen to become an MP in Britain. Anyone settled in Britain with Bangladeshi citizenship and Bangladeshi passport can become a British MP. Therefore, we demand the abolition of the discriminatory Article 66(2)(c) of the Constitution for Bangladeshi citizens acquired by birth who have also acquired dual citizenship.

4. More than one and a half crore expatriates are living outside Bangladesh. Everyone should not be viewed in the same way. British-Bangladeshis are well established in Britain. There are hundreds of skilled professionals who are qualified and established in their respective fields. There are thousands of Oxford, Cambridge and London graduates who can play an important role in the reconstruction of Bangladesh. Former Prime Minister of Malaysia in the construction of modern Malaysia Dr Mahathir Muhammad used to come to Britain and hunt talent among British-Malaysians. We are demanding the current interim government to do so. Although well-established British Bangladeshis have little to take from Bangladesh, they have much to give..

5. Having a valid Bangladeshi passport has been made mandatory for giving power of attorney from Britain since last 2/3 years. It is not clear what is the relation of valid Bangladeshi passport with the power of attorney. No other country in the world has such ridiculous rules. Millions of expatriates living in Britain are in dire straits due to the introduction of these rules. In such a situation, we strongly demand to publish an immediate gazette notification that Bangladeshi passport or British passport or NID card is acceptable as ID for execution of power of attorney.

6. MPs are elected in Parliament by the votes of the common people in Bangladesh. However, there is a huge disparity in opportunities with those who are elected as MPs. For example, tax free car (only if MP), state land allocation in Dhaka, various development allocations are given on priority basis. Although the residence and other facilities of the normal people and voters (owners of the country) are not guaranteed, special facilities are provided for the MPs. It creates great disparity with the citizens of the state. But the constitution says that everyone is equal in the eyes of the law. These discriminatory facilities and allotments should be canceled immediately. MPs are not given such discriminatory facilities and allocations in any developed democratic country of the world. Local development allocations are made through democratically elected Local Government representatives.