It is deeply concerning that over a hundred and fifty foreign prisoners have remained behind bars in Bangladesh despite serving out their prison terms long ago. They can neither go back to their own countries nor walk free. These prisoners have been fac-ing this irony of fate, as the countries they belong to now are now reportedly refusing to repatriate them because they do not have valid travel documents. 
Despite serving their terms, these prisoners are losing precious years from their lives without a reason; it seems that their penalty is now turning heavier than the crime they committed.

According to a report published in an English daily yesterday, at least 152 such for-eign individuals now remain behind bars in the country who completed their prison sentences several years ago. These prisoners mainly comprise Indian nationals, while there are also citizens of Pakistan, Myanmar and Nigeria. 
However, it is saddening that Indian authorities have recently refused to repatriate six of its nationals for lack of travel documents. The question is - how will they ever prove their identity if their own country does not extend support? The relevant for-eign countries must understand that these people were penalised precisely for lack-ing valid travel documents. Then, how can they be expected to produce what they never had?

This delay is both a humanitarian concern and a burden on our country. These indi-viduals are no longer culprits in the eye of the law. Keeping them indefinitely in prison places immense psychological pressure on them and strains the country’s al-ready crowded prison system. Last year, the High Court directed the home ministry to immediately release and repatriate these foreign nationals, but none of them have so far been repatriated except one person.
The concerned ministries of the involved countries must take stronger steps in this regard. Specifically, India and other relevant countries must come forward and make an earnest effort to verify their citizens’ identity and repatriate them for the sake of humanity and the dignity of their nationals. These prisoners must not be allowed to languish in the darkness of foreign prisons any longer.