WITH the threat of a US-led aerial attack against Syria … imminent, concern has been duly raised in Bangladesh about the safety of Bangladeshi nationals in Syria.
As it is there are probably not many Bangladeshis still living in Syria. The foreign ministry says the number is less than 100. The ongoing civil war in that country made it an imperative for Bangladeshis to leave Syria long ago. But there is also the aspect of Bangladeshis going all over the world seeking fortune. … No wonder if some of them are still hanging around in Syria despite being in the line of fire.
Thus, the foreign ministry’s figure of Bangladeshis in Syria may not be … accurate; it could be bigger. In that case, the Bangladesh government is expected to do more than it has done so far to ensure safe departure of all its nationals from Syria or to try and take care of them till the last Bangladeshi departs.
A report in this paper … quoted the foreign ministry as suggesting to Bangladeshis in Syria to take immediate steps to come out of that country on their own. While this exhortation is fine, what is really expected … by these unfortunate people is actual activism on the part of their government … to arrange with Syrian authorities so that [exiting Syria] … by Bangladeshis can be a reasonably safe process.
Syria is now like an uncharted territory. … In this situation for our foreign office to try and build contacts with the conflicting sides in Syria and devise ways … of secure exit of our nationals, would be no small challenge. But it has to be tried and the time to launch such activity cannot be delayed. … Syria’s neighbouring countries such as Turkey and Jordan will also have to be consulted for getting their assistance in this humanitarian endeavour. ... — (Sept 2)
