Thread by @are_eb

My second report from Bangladesh.

I spoke to Bangladeshi maids who survived abuse and torture inside Saudi Arabia. Here's their story of how they escaped.

middleeasteye.net/news/bangaldes…

Probably some of the hardest interviews I've ever had to do. These women endured regular beatings, nearly being burnt alive, and their wages not being paid.

Please do give a read.

Key thing to note from this piece too. The Bangladeshi authorities and Saudis did not respond again to repeated requests for comment. I've even tried calling Bengali ministers on their mobile phones. Nothing.

After these women escape their captors they end up in safe houses. But many are stuck there for months waiting to leave. The psychological trauma has even led to some attempting to take their own life.

middleeasteye.net/news/bangaldes…

A maid I spoke to witnessed a suicide attempt inside the safe house. This was what she saw:

"Nine women were trying to hold down nine wounds. She cut herself on her hands, feet, and, torso...If we never did that, then she would have bled out completely."

middleeasteye.net/news/bangaldes…