27 Bangladeshi Fishermen Detained in Myanmar: Families Hold Protest

Families Hold Human Chain Demanding Repatriation of 27 Bangladeshi Fishermen Detained in Myanmar

Relatives of 27 Bangladeshi fishermen jailed in Sittwe, Myanmar, formed a human chain in Shahbagh demanding swift diplomatic intervention for their return

Desk Report

Jun 22, 2026, 06:05 AM2 min read

Families Hold Human Chain Demanding Repatriation of 27 Bangladeshi Fishermen Detained in Myanmar

The familiess of the victims' human Chain at Dhaka / Collected

Family members of 27 Bangladeshi fishermen detained in Myanmar's Rakhine State formed a human chain in the capital's Shahbagh area on Sunday, calling on the government to take urgent diplomatic measures to secure their release and return home.

The demonstration was held in front of the National Museum, where relatives expressed concern over the prolonged detention of their loved ones and the severe hardships their families are facing.

According to the families, the fishermen were arrested in two separate incidents on December 8, 2025, and March 25, 2026, after their fishing boats allegedly drifted into Myanmar's territorial waters due to rough weather conditions while fishing in the Bay of Bengal.

They said Myanmar's navy detained the fishermen and took them to Sittwe (formerly Akyab) in Rakhine State, where they were subsequently sentenced to varying prison terms.

The detained fishermen are from several coastal districts of Bangladesh, including Bhola, Noakhali, Chattogram, Cumilla, Lakshmipur, Pirojpur and Cox's Bazar.

Family members participating in the protest said the absence of the detained fishermen many of whom are the sole breadwinners of their households—has pushed their families into acute financial and humanitarian distress. They said children are growing up without their fathers, while elderly parents continue to wait anxiously for the return of their loved ones.

Addressing the gathering, Ashraful Alam Hannan, founder of Swapno Niye Foundation and coordinator of the programme, said family members had repeatedly contacted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Home Affairs and other relevant authorities over the past several months, but no visible progress had been made regarding the fishermen's release.

"As a result, the families were compelled to organize this human chain to draw attention to their plight," he said.

Hannan expressed hope that effective diplomatic efforts by the Bangladesh government, along with intervention at the highest levels, would help ensure the fishermen's swift repatriation.

Speakers at the event urged the government to intensify diplomatic engagement with Myanmar and take immediate steps to facilitate the release and safe return of all detained Bangladeshi fishermen.

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