Bangladeshis protest in Italy demanding age correction in passport, 2 detained

Hundreds of expat Bangladeshis demonstrated in front of the Bangladesh Embassy in Rome, Italy, in protest over the lack of progress in getting their passports' age information corrected.

During this time, there were also reports of vandalism.

Two Bangladeshis have been detained by Rome police in connection with the incident. Authorities at the Bangladesh Embassy were unable to say why they were being held.

The incident took place at the embassy premises around 11am local time yesterday (August 16, 2022). Police arrived on the scene quickly to take control of the situation and tighten security at the embassy.

After the protesting Bangladeshis and the embassy authorities met, the situation eventually calmed down.

It was learnt that the protesting Bangladeshis need their age information corrected in passports.  According to the Ministry of Home Affairs guidelines, the window of opportunity to correct age information closed in April last year. As a result, the embassy is unable to accept the request to change their age.

Many Bangladeshis have received stay permits from the Italian government but they are losing their legal standing as they cannot renew their passports with the updated age.

Officials of the passport wing of the embassy met some of the protesters and listened to their problems and demands. 

Later, Bangladesh's Ambassador to Italy, Shamim Ahsan, spoke to the demonstrators to calm them down. At that point, the ambassador received a memorandum from the affected expatriates.

The ambassador strongly highlighted the issue of age revision and assured of maximum efforts to solve the problem.