I'm urgently seeking legal guidance for my friend in Dhaka, who needs to secure their passport under dangerous circumstances.
Their situation:
They are trying to rebuild their life after escaping their abusive father, who previously confiscated their passport to control them.
A critical step for their future is sitting for A-Level exams (British Council) starting in about 1-2 weeks, but these require passport ID which they don't have.
The father is influential and has connections. Crucially, they cannot put their current, safe address on the passport application.
The father could potentially use his connections to access the application details or subsequent police verification request to discover their location, putting their safety at extreme risk. Standard verification at the permanent address is also impossible for the same reasons.
They are currently safe but cannot provide standard proof (like utility bills) for their undisclosed location.
We have their NID card and a copy/details of the old passport. We need a way to get them the required ID for the exams and a replacement passport without revealing their safe address or triggering dangerous verification processes.
Do you have experience helping domestic abuse survivors obtain necessary documents like passports when safety concerns and potential interference from influential abusers prevent standard procedures (e.g., using alternative addresses, seeking verification waivers)? What safe solutions might exist?
This is extremely time-sensitive due to the exams.
Thanks
Lawyer Answers
Tobarrak Law Chamber
In such a situation, the matter should be handled through legal and administrative safeguards prioritising personal safety. Your friend may immediately file a General Diary (GD) or Police Report documenting the abuse and the confiscation of the passport, which can support an application for a replacement passport citing “loss under coercive circumstances.” In parallel, a written request can be made to the Regional Passport Office and the Ministry of Home Affairs seeking address confidentiality and exemption from standard police verification on grounds of safety, supported by legal representation or a protective affidavit. The British Council may also be formally notified with legal documentation confirming identity (via NID, old passport copy, and affidavit) to allow temporary exam ID clearance pending reissuance. Immediate legal assistance should be sought perhaps through counsel to coordinate these steps discreetly.
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