The story: Protests by Bangladeshis in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) against their home government have triggered a tough response from Emirati authorities. Local commentators have welcomed the crackdown, portraying it as safeguarding the national security and social stability of the UAE. However, the heavy-handed sentences and deportation orders issued against dozens of Bangladeshi citizens have raised eyebrows abroad.

The coverage: On July 19, Bangladeshi protesters in the UAE took to the streets in solidarity with student-led demonstrations...