Request to expedite the release of five Bangladeshis detained in Spain

The Director General assured to discuss with the authorities and take necessary steps in view of the Ambassador's request

Jan 21, 2023 - 12:46

Request to expedite the release of five Bangladeshis detained in Spain

The ambassador drew the attention of the Spanish government to facilitate the visa process for Bangladeshis.: Collected images

The Bangladesh Embassy in Madrid gave this information in a notification on Friday (January 20).

The Director General assured to discuss with the authorities and take necessary steps in view of the Ambassador's request. The ambassador drew the attention of the Spanish government to facilitate the visa process for Bangladeshis.

He said that Spain is the second highest export destination of Bangladesh in the European Union. Bangladesh is Spain's fourth largest trading partner in Asia. The relationship between the two countries is growing in other potential areas including trade and investment. Facilitation of the visa process will benefit the people of the two countries, especially private sector entrepreneurs and businessmen, and further expand bilateral relations.

At present, only in the case of Spain, Bangladeshi immigrants are required to obtain a police clearance certificate from the Ministry of Home Affairs in Dhaka. Mentioning that this process is very time-consuming, difficult and difficult for the expatriates, the ambassador said that more than 50 thousand Bangladeshis living in Spain are the second largest expatriate community in the European Union. They are making important contribution to the economy of both countries. Digitized Police Clearance Certificate issued by Bangladesh Police is recognized and accepted in all countries of the world except Spain.

The ambassador said that since all the passports of Bangladeshis are machine-readable passports or e-passports, if the Spanish authorities consider the police clearance certificate issued by the Bangladesh Police and verified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as acceptable instead of the Ministry of Home Affairs, then it will be of great help to reduce the suffering of expatriates.

The ambassador also requested to consider the marriage certificate issued by the appropriate authorities of Bangladesh and attested by expatriates as acceptable. The ambassador said that the host economy can benefit from the employment of skilled workers and professionals from Bangladesh in other fields including information technology and agriculture.