US embassy cable - 05DHAKA3709

C O N F I D E N T I A L DHAKA 003709 
 
SIPDIS 
 
G/TIP, INL/CTR 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/31/2015 
TAGS: PHUM, KCRM, BG, Camel Jockeys 
SUBJECT: CHARGE AND FOREIGN SECRETARY DISCUSS TRAFFICKED 
CAMEL JOCKEY REPATRIATION EFFORTS 
 
 
Classified By: A/DCM D.C. McCullough for reason para 1.4 (d) 
 
1. (SBU) During a July 28 meeting with Foreign Secretary 
Hemayetuddin, Charge raised USG concerns over reports that 
the Bangladeshi Embassy in the UAE is delaying the 
repatriation of rescued Bangladeshi camel jockey trafficking 
victims. 
 
2. (C) Hemayetuddin replied that the repatriations are a 
great concern for the BDG, and that he has spoken with their 
Ambassador on the matter.  He claimed the Ministry of Home 
Affairs is slowing down the repatriation process since they 
are responsible for determining the nationality of the boys. 
He undertook to raise the issue again with his Ambassador. 
 
3. (C) Salma Ali, a prominent local anti-TIP activist 
involved in repatriation, confirmed to poloff that the 
Bangladesh Embassy is slowing down repatriations.  She said 
batches of Pakistani and Sudanese boys are returning from the 
UAE but not Bangladeshis.  She also cited problems with 
nationality verification as the cause.  Moreover, "The Labor 
Attache is not a Ministry of Foreign Affairs employee but a 
typical BNP (political) type who is not intelligent," she 
alleged.  Ali says some Bangladeshi boys, however, are 
scheduled to return later this week, and that she plans to 
follow up personally with the Bangladeshi Ambassador. 
CHAMMAS