United News of Bangladesh

The rulers of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have granted royal pardons to 440 Bangladeshi prisoners, said the UAE Embassy in Dhaka on Wednesday (January 14, 2026). The royal pardons were granted on the occasion of the 54th UAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad) in 2025, which is observed annually on December 2, commemorating the historic unification of the emirates in 1971 under one flag. The gesture underscores the UAE leadership’s humanitarian values and commitment to giving those pardoned the chance to rebuild their lives and rejoin their families and communities, said the Embassy. Read more: UAE President pardons 25 convicted Bangladesh citizens As part of the Union Day celebrations, UAE leaders pardoned thousands of inmates across the country, marking one of the largest collective clemency initiatives in recent years. The pardons reflect the UAE’s longstanding tradition of granting mercy on significant national and religious occasions. The UAE rulers regularly issue royal pardons during events such as Eid holidays and National Day, promoting forgiveness, family reunification, and social reintegration. The recent pardon initiatives in late 2025 covered thousands of prisoners of various nationalities, including Bangladeshi citizens, offering them an opportunity for a fresh start. Read more: Disney to build its 7th theme park in UAE

President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has pardoned 25 Bangladeshi citizens who were previously convicted in the UAE. The pardon was granted following a request from Bangladesh, seeking clemency for Bangladeshi nationals arrested in UAE in connection with the events surrounding the July 2024 and subsequently sentenced by UAE courts. Read more: Disney to build its 7th theme park in UAE All 25 individuals have been pardoned and returned to Bangladesh, said the UAE Embassy in Dhaka on Sunday, noting that this act of clemency once again reflects the generosity of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The expatriate Bangladeshis were detained at different times in the UAE during the July 2024 uprising in Bangladesh. This humanitarian gesture reflects the UAE leadership’s commitment to compassion, tolerance and justice, as well as the deep-rooted, brotherly relations between the United Arab Emirates and Bangladesh, the Embassy said. Read more: UAE President, PM mourn death of Khaleda Zia Earlier, the President had also pardoned Bangladeshi expatriates several times who were serving sentences for staging a rare protest in the UAE, underscoring the UAE’s humanitarian approach.