Guidance

Information for British prisoners in Bangladesh

Updated 15 February 2024

Chapter 1: Key points

Overview

If you are a British national, and are arrested or detained in another country, consular staff will do what they can to support you.  However, they cannot interfere with the local justice system, get you out of jail, or pay for services such as a lawyer. Information about who we can help, including the circumstances in which we can assist dual nationals, is available at: Support for British nationals abroad.        

This detention information pack is designed to give you, and your family and friends, information about the local system in Bangladesh and who can help.  A printed copy is provided to those in prison or in custody, and an online version is available here. We welcome feedback to help us improve the information we can provide to others.

Contacting us

If you are arrested or detained in another country:

• the authorities should ask whether you want them to contact the British High Commission (and must do so if you want them to)
• even if they do not ask, you can make the request yourself, and should do so, particularly if you are charged with a serious offence or need any kind of assistance
• friends or family can also contact the local British Embassy, High Commission or Consulate or the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in London on +44 (0)20 7008 5000

In some countries, the authorities might notify the British Consulate even if you don’t want anyone to know that you have been arrested.  This is because there may be an agreement in place with the British Government which requires a mandatory notification to be made.

Who we are

Consular staff work in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in London, and in British Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates overseas.

British High Commission Dhaka
United Nations Road
Baridhara, Dhaka 1212
Tel: +88-02-55668700

Website: https://www.gov.uk/world/bangladesh

Contact form: www.gov.uk/contact-consulate-dhaka

You can also contact us by phone 24/7 for help or advice from anywhere in the world by calling the FCDO on +44 (0)20 7008 5000.

What we can do

The FCDO can offer you impartial and non-judgemental help. Once notified of your arrest or detention, consular staff will aim to contact you as soon as possible so that we can assess how we can help you.  We then aim to provide assistance according to your individual circumstances and local conditions: our priority is to provide assistance to those British nationals overseas that need our help the most.

In Bangladesh, notification by the authorities to the British High Commission normally takes place if you request that we be notified and can take several days.

We can also:

• provide a list of local English-speaking lawyers and interpreters: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/bangladesh-list-of-lawyers
• provide general information about the country, detention conditions, and the local legal system
• provide general information about the local prison or remand system, including visiting arrangements, mail and censorship, privileges, and welfare services
• keep in regular contact with you, either by visiting or by telephone/letter. The frequency of contact will depend on local conditions and your personal circumstances
• tell the police or prison doctor, with your permission, about any medical or dental problems including medication
• put you, or your family, in touch with a prisoners’ welfare charity called Prisoners Abroad
• in some circumstances we may be able to help take up complaints with the police or prison authorities about ill treatment, personal safety, or discrimination, if you are not treated in line with internationally recognised standards
• help to transfer money to you from your friends or family.  In places where phone or postal services aren’t available, we can also pass on messages and deliver letters to the prison (but generally we cannot arrange for delivery directly to you)
• in some circumstances we may be able to help you apply for a transfer to a prison in the UK

What we can’t do

• get you out of prison or detention
• help you get special treatment
• offer legal advice, start legal proceedings or investigate a crime
• pay for any costs as a result of being arrested
• forward you packages sent by friends or family
• prevent authorities from deporting you after release

First steps

Informing family member

If you want us to, we can tell your family or friends that you have been detained and provide them with information about how to contact you. With your consent, we can also keep them updated on your wellbeing. 

If you are not sure about informing your family, we can help you consider what the impact of not doing so might be. For example, it may cause them distress if they do not know where you are or cannot contact you. It can also be a disadvantage to you if you need someone to send you money or act on your behalf while you are detained.

Informing the UK police

If you are accused of certain serious offences, such as sexual assault or drugs trafficking, we are obliged to share information about your arrest with UK police. Information about this may appear if a Criminal Records Bureau check were carried out by a prospective employer. There may be other circumstances when information about you may need to be shared with authorities in Bangladesh.

Legal assistance: lawyers

We cannot give legal advice, start legal proceedings, or investigate a crime. However, we can provide information about the local legal system, including whether a legal aid scheme is available. We can also give you a list of local interpreters and a list of local English-speaking lawyers attached to this pack. You should consider the benefits of local legal representation and discuss all the costs beforehand with the legal representative. We cannot pay your legal or interpretation costs in any circumstance.

Consular assistance: fair treatment

We cannot get you out of prison or detention or get you special treatment because you are British. If you are not treated in line with internationally accepted standards, we will consider whether to approach the local authorities. This may include if your trial does not follow internationally recognised standards or is unreasonably delayed compared to local cases.

Other organisations that can provide assistance

We can put you, or your family, in touch with Prisoners Abroad, a UK charity which supports British citizens detained overseas and their families.

Chapter 2: Detention conditions in Bangladesh

Visits: Friends and family

Who can visit and how to arrange visits

Your family or friends should contact the prison authorities where you are detained to find out how to gain visitation access and the rules and regulations around visits. There is a general visitors area, and sometimes you may be allowed to meet visitors in a more comfortable place  - but this is at the discretion of the prison authorities.

How many visits am I allowed?

You are generally allowed to receive visitors once every 15 days for 30 minutes. You may be allowed extra visits if there are special or compassionate reasons (for example, distance health or medical reasons).

What can visitors bring?

Visitors can bring “prison comforts” such as food, books and toiletries to you when they visit. All bags and parcels will be searched before entry to the prison and the authorities have the right to withhold items they deem to be unacceptable (amongst others, weapons, knives, alcohol, drugs, home-made food).

Consular visits

As soon as we have been notified of your arrest or detention by any source, we will aim to visit or speak to you in judicial or police custody or the custody of any other detaining authority. We will need to apply for permission to do so through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and obtaining the permission can take several weeks.

During our visits you will have the opportunity to discuss any health issues, security concerns, your treatment in prison and any other general issues that you wish to raise with our Consular staff.  At each Consular visit, our staff will complete a “Visit Report Form”. If there is any information that you would prefer not to disclose to a Next of Kin you should let us know during the visit.

Emergency trips outside of prison

It is possible to make an application for an emergency trip if an urgent situation arises (e.g., funerals and critical illness of a prisoner’s next-of-kin). Final decision rests with the prison authorities.

Police custody and initial arrival at prison

Arriving at the police station: your basic rights

If you are arrested the police will take you to the nearest station. Article 33 of the Constitution of Bangladesh provides four fundamental freedoms or safeguards upon a person arrested under ordinary law. 1) he/she cannot be detained in custody without being informed of the charge against him/her as soon as may be, of the grounds of his arrest 2) he/she must be given the right to consult and to be represented by a lawyer of his own choice; 3) he/she has the right to be produced before the nearest magistrate within 24 hours of his arrest; and 4) he/she cannot be detained in custody beyond the period of 24 hours without the authority of the Magistrate.

Arrival at prison

After arrival at the prison, you will be searched, and any prohibited articles shall be taken from you. Medical checks will be carried out by the prison health department in order to assess if you need any treatment for ongoing medical conditions (e.g., blood pressure, diabetes, HIV). In the case of female prisoners, the search and examination shall be carried out by the matron under the general or special orders of the Medical Officer.

Prison: conditions and daily life

Accommodation

Prisons in Bangladesh are generally overcrowded and lack adequate facilities with people who have yet to be convicted and are awaiting trial. You cannot expect a single cell as a matter of course. Sometimes not even a mattress may not be available to you. Unfortunately, the High Commission is not allowed to buy new mattresses; you will need to wait until the prison provides you with one. You should also be aware that the conditions of toilets and showers are poor in Bangladesh prisons.

Most prisons will be providing basic toiletries, standard clothing and linen; other items can be purchased directly from the prison shopping list which most of the prisons offer monthly.

Food and Diet

There is a prison shop. Prisoners are allowed cash which is held by the jailers as “prisoners cash”. Your family can add funds to your account. If you do not have money or are unable to earn money working in prison, your family and friends can send money to you via the FCDO.  We do not have any funds for prisoners.

Hygiene

Bathroom and laundry facilities across prisons will be very basic and communal or shared. Many prisons have a bucket-bath system instead of showers. Many prisons will allow you to have a bath daily if water is available, but this will vary across prisons. You can purchase toiletries from the prison shop or have them brought to you by visitors.

Can I work or study in prison?

Only prisoners who have been sentenced can work in the prison but that depends upon the prison authorities and work facilities provided in the prison. Study opportunities are also available; however, the number of slots is limited, and the waiting time could be quite long.

Contact and languages

Prisoners may be allowed to intermingle in some prisons, but only at specific times and in designated areas. Where possible prisons may try to keep English-speaking inmates together, but this is not the case in all prisons. In most prisons, staff communicate in the local language and may know only a little English.

Internet access is not generally available to detainees in prison. Some prisons provide writing material; where this is not provided, we may be able to send or bring you some using your funds to pay for it. You can send and receive letters to and from family/friends, but you should be aware that all incoming and outgoing mail will be checked by prison authorities.

Leisure and entertainment

All Prisons in Bangladesh are equipped with TV rooms and have libraries where Prisoners can study. Prisoners are allowed to take books from the library back to their cell.

Exercise

In some prisons, prisoners are allowed to move out of their barracks for a limited amount of time each day for exercise or sport.

Climate

Bangladesh’s climate is mainly hot and humid, with mild winters in most places. Monsoons are heavy with pervasive damp for three to four months of the year. Most prisons provide fans during hot and humid summers. Family and friends can send you appropriate clothes.

Religion

Some prisons may have a place of worship within the facility. Full-time religious ministers may not be available, but they may be allowed to visit. Most prisons will allow you to practice your faith, for example, Muslims are allowed to maintain their fast during the holy month of Ramadan.

Rules and regulations (including drugs)

You will need to find out the rules and regulations of your prison yourself by asking prison authorities and other inmates, because it is very rare that they will be explained to you on arrival. Notices and signage, if any, may be in the local language.

Prisons in Bangladesh take misbehaviour, rule-breaking and violence seriously. Restrictions and sanctions are usually imposed in the form of withdrawal of privileges. Prison officials do not tolerate personal insults or abuse.

If you are a victim of violence within the prison, you may wish to report it to the Prison Superintendent and your lawyer. You may also wish to speak to consular staff who can raise it on your behalf. We recommend you speak to your lawyer as soon as possible, as they may also be able to raise it in court.

It is widely known that drug trafficking between inmates in prisons is widespread. If you are caught with any kind of illegal drugs you will be strictly punished by the prison authorities.

Prison: access to help and services

Receiving money

There are 2 ways you may be able to receive financial assistance while in prison:

• private funds: deposited to you by your family or friends
• Prisoners Abroad: depending on where you are detained, if your family cannot support you financially, Prisoners Abroad may be able to send you a small grant every quarter for essentials (enough for one hot meal a day)

The UK government does not provide financial assistance to prisoners.

Private funds

While the FCDO does not provide financial assistance to prisoners, we may be able, within certain limits, to send you money from your family or friends.

The FCDO operates a ‘Prison Comfort’ system for money transfers to prisoners. Ask your family or friends to get in touch with the FCDO to arrange this.

We cannot receive payment by credit or debit card, or by cash.

Prisoners Abroad

Prisoners Abroad may be able to assist you with funding for prison essentials and some medical care if you are not receiving regular donations from other sources.

Medical and dental treatment

While you are detained, the Bangladeshi authorities are responsible for ensuring your basic medical needs are met. Prison doctor is available in some prisons. Prisoners are taken to government hospitals outside the prison for specialist treatment, but you may have to pay for all your own medication. Your family will be able to send medication to you in prison with the agreement of the prison doctor. Consular staff cannot purchase medication for you or pass medication from your family to the prison authorities.

On arrival at the prison, prisoners should make the prison authorities aware of any medical conditions that they may suffer from. If the situation is urgent, you should ask the prison to contact us directly; as we will try to help you as quickly as possible by liaising with the prison. You may wish to give your doctors in the UK permission to talk to the prison doctors, of the consular staff about the medication you have been on or the treatment you have been previously receiving. Consular staff are not medically trained, and we cannot talk to doctors about your specific personal circumstances without your permission.

Letters and parcels

Our Consular staff can help British prisoners to correspond with their families abroad.  We can seek to get the full mailing address of a prisoner. There is usually no limit to the number of letters prisoners may send or receive. However, prison authorities read the contents of all letters including those to lawyers. We have been told that a letter may be stopped if it contains any detrimental comments about Bangladesh. Sometimes unreliable international mail system between Bangladesh and the UK can cause delays.

Telephone calls

Detainees are not permitted to own or use phones. Depending on the charges, some prisons may allow you to make one local phone call per week for 10 minutes.

Making a complaint about mistreatment

If you have been mistreated, you should inform consular staff as soon as it is safe for you to do so. We will then do our best to visit you, to check on your welfare, discuss the allegations, and explain any local complaints procedures and supportive organisations that you may wish to consider. With your permission, and where appropriate, we will consider approaching the local authorities if you have not been treated in line with internationally accepted standards. If you have been mistreated, try to see a doctor, obtain a medical report and if possible, take photos of your injuries.

Chapter 3: the Bangladeshi judicial system

Overview and first steps

The FCDO cannot interfere with the judicial system. We cannot ask for your case to be judged more quickly just because you are British or ask the authorities to waive any penalties.

The Court system in Bangladesh has two levels: the Lower courts and the Supreme Court. The subordinate courts in Bangladesh are one of the two tiers of the court system in Bangladesh and the other tier is the Supreme Court. The subordinate courts are in different districts and metropolitan areas across Bangladesh. All the subordinate courts are under the authority or supervision of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh that is, all the subordinate courts of Bangladesh are subservient or subjugated to the Supreme Court of Bangladesh. There are a wide variety of subordinate courts, such courts are the creatures of statutes. Their powers, functions and jurisdictions are also determined by the respective statutes. These are the basic courts in the system of the judiciary of Bangladesh. The major bulk of the cases are tried and heard in such courts. The basis of subordinate courts are:

• Article. 114 of the Constitution of Bangladesh which deal with the establishment of subordinate courts and lays down there shall be in addition to the Supreme Court, such courts subordinate there to as may be established by law

• the Civil Courts Act 1887

• the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) 1898

The subordinate courts in Bangladesh can be divided in two broad classes, namely, civil courts and criminal court.

The Supreme Court is divided into two sections: the High Court Division and the Appellate Division. The high court hears appeals on original cases mostly dealing with Constitutional issues (writs), bails and reviews cases from the lower courts. The appellate court has jurisdiction to hear appeals of Judgements, decrees, orders, or sentences of the high court. Rulings of the Appellate division are binding on all other courts.

Metropolitan Magistrate Court found in Metropolitan areas of Bangladesh also deals with criminal cases. In criminal cases in the Courts of Magistrates certain categories of police officials (court police) play the role of prosecutors. Besides police officials, the lawyers appointed as Public Prosecutors (PP) and Assistant Public Prosecutors (APP) also act as prosecutors.

What should happen after you are arrested

grant you bail or give out an order for you to either remain in police custody for investigation up to a certain period or to be transferred to a judicial lock up during the period of trial. Please note, the arrest procedure may vary according to the nature of crime and the individual circumstances.

If you have any questions on the legal aspects of your arrest, contact your lawyer.

How long you can be remanded in custody

Where an investigation could not be completed within 24 hours after the arrest of suspect, the police officer must bring the suspect before a Magistrate to obtain an order that the suspect be further detained to enable the police to complete their investigation. Such an order granted by the Magistrate is invariably known as the “remand order”. The Magistrate before whom an accused person is produced will authorize the detention of the accused in such custody as the Magistrate thinks fit for a term not exceeding 15 days in the whole.

After you are charged

The courts will inform you, your lawyer/public prosecutor and the prison authorities of your sentence. If you don’t have a private lawyer, you will be assisted by public prosecutors who will put forward requests for benefits such as parole or clemency.

Bail

There is a bail system in the regular courts, although, under certain security and crime law, a non-bailable period of detention exists. Your lawyer/public defender will be best placed to advice on this matter. Bail might be decided by the police officer in charge of the case, or the court and the person will be held until the bail is paid.

The FCDO cannot transfer bail funds.

Trial and legal assistance

Legal assistance: lawyers and legal aid

If you wish to hire a private lawyer, see for a list of English-speaking lawyers. Prisoners Abroad can also supply information on legal aid, court proceedings and can advise on appointing a lawyer.

Consular staff cannot give legal advice. You can hire a lawyer for yourself at any time after your arrest; a list of lawyers is included in this information pack. Normally, if you hire a private lawyer, you will be asked for a cash advance towards estimated legal fees (which may be very high) before your case will be taken on. The British High Commission cannot pay legal fees or guarantee to a lawyer that you will pay them.

State-funded Defence Lawyers are rarely provided, and there are few legal aid programs to offer financial assistance to detainees. Lawyers are usually allowed only after charges are filed, which is when a trail is being heard. In our experience it can be many, many months before charges are filed. Legal representatives are granted access to their clients arrested under Section 54, but in practice, police rarely allowed lawyers to confer with their clients arrested under these sections of the law.

Trial

The law provides accused persons with the right to be represented by counsel, to review accusatory material, to call witnesses, and to appeal verdicts. Judges decide cases without the use of juries. Trials are public, and defendants have the right to an attorney; however, state-funded attorneys are rarely provided. Under the provisions of the Public Safety Act, Law and Order Disruption Crimes Speedy Trial Act (STA), and the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act, special tribunals hear cases and issue verdicts. Cases under these laws must be investigated and tried within specific time limits, although the law is unclear about the disposition of the case if it was not finished within the allotted time period.

Sentences

Sentences vary greatly in Bangladesh and will depend on the seriousness of the crime. Your lawyer/public defender will be best placed to advice on length of sentences and on appeals’ processes.

Appeals

You have the right to appeal against your sentence in the Higher Courts through your lawyer or public defenders. It is usual for the public defenders to appeal against your first sentence anyway. However, the appeal process is usually very slow and can sometimes lead to the appellant’s release being delayed until the appeal is decided. In such cases a lawyer’s opinion of the case is strongly recommended before proceeding.

Reaching the end of your sentence

Reduction of sentence (remission)

In Bangladesh, the early release measure that exists is Remission. This is considered for prisoners who have demonstrated good conduct and have proven records of positive change in their behaviour. The remission period is 1/4th of the sentence.

Early release

Under Bangladesh “Probation of Offenders Ordinance” the system of parole does exist. However, the system is not functional due to lack of facilities and manpower.

Clemency or pardon

Mercy Power in the Constitution of Bangladesh Article 49. The Constitution confers mercy power on the President. The President can exercise the power by a presidential Pardon i.e., to completely set free the convict off his conviction.

Financial penalties

There is no financial penalty for prisoners in Bangladesh. However, if a prisoner is found guilty of possessing cash other than their allocated amount, that cash will be confiscated by the prison authority.

Transfer to another prison within Bangladesh

If you have been tried and convicted, you can apply for a prison transfer but the permission for transfer depends upon the authorities.

Transfer to a prison in the UK

There are no agreements to transfer prisoners convicted in Bangladesh to serve their sentence in the UK.

Release and deportation

After a prisoner is granted bail by the court, the Court will send the bail bond to the prison authority. The prison authority will verify the bail bond and the prisoner will be released after a satisfactory verification. (applicable to Bangladeshi nationals). The court may order your deportation on completion of your sentence or on acquittal. If this is the case, local authorities will make arrangements for your deportation, and this can take time.

Sometimes people find that they face difficulties adjusting to life in the UK once they have left prison. You may find yourself ready for life on the outside but not prepared for living in the UK. You may not have lived in the UK before and have no connections there, or perhaps you have lost touch with friends and family. You may want to talk to another person who understands what you have been through, to help you consider what to do next.

If you are registered with Prisoners Abroad, you can visit Prisoners Abroad when you first arrive back in UK for advice, to take a shower, use their temporary luggage store, make essential phone calls or use a computer. If you have no belongings Prisoners Abroad may be able to help with basic toiletries and finding suitable clothing. If you know your release date in advance you should tell your consular caseworker when you are likely to arrive and what help you think you might need. If you have no money and nowhere to go, Prisoners Abroad’s Aftercare Service can help with:

• advice on finding emergency accommodation in the London area
• claiming welfare benefits, including emergency benefit payments if you are destitute
• making appointments with doctors and dentists
• putting you in touch with local agencies if you are not returning to the London area

Later on, you may want advice on housing, looking for work, applying for training or getting counselling. Prisoners Abroad can refer you to the right agency.

Other sources of practical help back in the UK are:

The Salvation Army

UK Helpline +44 (0)20 7367 4888
Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm, or contact your local Salvation Army branch

The Prison Fellowship

UK Helpline +44 (0)20 7799 2500
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

Your criminal record in the UK

We will not normally pass on information about your case to a third party without your consent. However, if you’re arrested for certain serious offences, such as child sex abuse or drugs crimes, our staff must tell other relevant UK authorities. It is possible that information about this may appear if a Criminal Records Bureau check were carried out by a prospective employer.

Chapter 4: Additional information

There are 68 prisons in Bangladesh which can be divided into two types. The Central Prisons, of which there are 13, are for the confinement of prisoners under trial, administrative detainees and convicted prisoners sentenced to a long term of imprisonment. These are essentially maximum-security prisons. The 55 other Prisons are used for the confinement of all categories of prisoners except those convicted prisoners whose sentence exceeds 5 years. Under the orders of the Inspector General of Prisons, longer-term prisoners may be confined in these prisons for special reasons, however, they are essentially classified as “medium security”.

The official capacity of the 68 prisons is approximately 42000, however the actual prison population is around 80,000. Of these, almost 50,000 or approximately 65% are under trial. There is another class of prisoners known as ‘released prisoners’. These are foreigners who were arrested and convicted in Bangladesh and have served their sentences but are still in prison because they have nowhere to go.

Not only are the prisons overcrowded, but the problem is exacerbated by the high number of prisoners incarcerated because of delays in the judicial system. There is no effective classification system in Bangladesh prisons; remanded and convicted persons are often not separated.

Prisoners Abroad

Since 1978 the charity Prisoners Abroad has offered practical support and advice to British citizens imprisoned abroad. It is the only UK charity providing this service. It is available to all, whether guilty or innocent, convicted or awaiting charge or trial. Prisoners Abroad supports your health and welfare during your imprisonment. It can also provide support on your return to the UK, through their resettlement service (if you have registered whilst in prison). They can also provide support and advice to your family when you are in prison. To access any services, you must first register with Prisoners Abroad by signing and returning their authorisation form.

Once you seek help from Prisoners Abroad, the Prisoner & Family Support Service will be your point of contact for advice and information. The type of assistance they can offer varies from country to country, but generally they can provide you with information, in English, on:

• your rights as a prisoner
• issues that may affect you such as health or transfer to the UK
• getting magazines, newspapers, books and the regular Prisoners Abroad newsletter
• learning the language of your country of imprisonment
• translating documents
• grants for food if you are in a developing country and do not have funds from other sources
• grants for essential medicines and toiletries if you do not have funds from other sources
• preparing for release
• help for your loved ones, including information, family support groups and, in a few cases, assistance with the cost of visiting

Prisoners Abroad

UK Helpline +44 (0)20 7561 6820 or 0808 172 0098
Mondays and Tuesdays 9:30am to 6pm (UK time)
Wednesdays to Fridays 9:30am to 4:30pm (UK time)
89 – 93 Fonthill Road
London N4 3JH
UK

Glossary of Terms

Key phrases – English into Bangla

English	Bengali
Welcome	Shagotom
Hello (General greeting)	Assalamualaikum (Peace be upon you) - for Muslims; Namaskar - for Hindus
How are you?	Apni kemon achhen; Apnara kemon achhen (Plural)
Reply to ‘How are you?’	Ami bhalo achhi; Amra bhalo achhi (Plural)
Long time no see	Onek din dekha nei
What’s your name?	Apnar nam ki?
My name is …	Amar nam …
Where are you from?	Apni kotha theke ashchhen?
I’m from …	Ami … theke ashchhi
Pleased to meet you	Apnar sathe porichito hoye khusi holom
Good morning	Shuvo sokal
Good evening (Evening greeting)	Shuvo shondha
Good night	Shuvo ratri
Goodbye (Parting phrases)	Biday nicchhi - I am bidding farewell
Khoda hafez (the lord is the keeper) - used by Muslims
Bon voyage / Have a good journey	Apnar jatra shuvo houk
I understand	Aami bujte paarchi
I don’t understand	Bujhte parlam na
Please speak more slowly	Aste bolben ki?
Please say that again	Abar bolben?
Please write it down	Ektu likhe deben?
Do you speak English?	Apni Ingreji bolte paren?
Do you speak Bengali?	Apni Bangla bolte paren?
Yes, a little (reply to ‘Do you speak …?’)	Ji, ektu bolte pari
How do you say … in Bengali?	Etake banglae ki bole?
Excuse me	Shunun/Shunchen
How much is this?	Eii jinishtar dam koto?
Sorry	Dukkhito
Thank you	Dhonnobad
Where’s the toilet?	Toylet ta kothay?
Get well soon	Shiggiri bhalo hoye jan
Help!	Bachao!
Fire!	Agun!
Stop!	Thamun!
Call the police!	Police ke dakun!

Annexes

FCDO guidance: Support for British nationals abroad

FCDO guidance: Arrested abroad: advice for British nationals

FCDO guidance: Instruction for money transfer through the FCDO

List of English-speaking lawyers

List of private translators/interpreters

Prisoners Abroad Forms

Death Penalty Project Information

Disclaimer

This booklet was compiled by the Consular Section, British High Commission, Dhaka. It is revised on a regular basis.

If any of the information contained in this booklet is incorrect, please draw inaccuracies to our attention so that we can make amendments.

The British High Commission in Dhaka is not accountable for the information provided in this booklet. Local proceedings are subject to change at any time.

Thank you.