Govt moves to repatriate bodies of two students killed in US: FM

FE Report

Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman told parliament on Tuesday that the government has taken steps to bring back the bodies of two Bangladeshi students, who were brutally killed in the United States recently.

The two students were killed in a violent incident at the University of South Florida. Responding to a question from lawmaker A. E. Sultan Mahmud Babu during a parliamentary question-and-answer session, Rahman said authorities were working to ensure the swift repatriation of their remains.

He said that since the tragic deaths, the Bangladesh embassy in Washington and the consulate general in Florida have been working closely with the victims’ grieving families, the university authorities and local law enforcement agencies. The process of returning the bodies to Bangladesh is now under close government supervision, alongside the completion of necessary legal formalities.

Rahman told parliament that ensuring the safety of Bangladeshi citizens living and working abroad remains a top priority for the government. He added that efforts were underway to transform diplomatic missions into “centres of trust” for expatriates, rather than merely administrative offices.

He also highlighted strengthened consular support for Bangladeshis in conflict-affected regions, particularly in the Middle East, including evacuation efforts, provision of safe shelter and assistance with repatriation.

The minister said embassies had been instructed to take prompt action in any case of violence or security threats involving Bangladeshi nationals anywhere in the world, in coordination with the host country’s law enforcement agencies. He assured lawmakers that diplomatic efforts at both local and international levels would continue to ensure the safety and security of Bangladeshis overseas.

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