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Qatar - British researchers missing after investigating workers' rights

Report type
Research and reports
Issue date

His Excellency Mr Khalid Rashid Al-Hamoudi

Al-Mansouri KCVO
The Qatari Ambassador
Embassy of the State of Qatar
1 South Audley Street
LONDON

W1K 1NB
 

04.09.2014

Dear Ambassador

Disappearance of two British human rights activists in Qatar

The TUC, on behalf of more than 6 million British workers, wishes to register its deepest concern over the fate of Krishna Upadhyaya and Ghimire Gundev, both British nationals of Nepalese descent, who have disappeared while in Qatar to meet with migrant workers involved in constructing facilities for the 2022 World Cup.

We are told, via the pair’s employer, the Global Network for Rights and Development (GNRD), and through the British embassy in Doha, that Mr Upadhaya reported to colleagues in Norway that both he and Mr Gundev were being followed and harassed by Qatari police on 30 August. Despite remaining in his hotel lobby after checking out and keeping in regular contact with GDRN colleagues, Mr Upadhaya continued to report harassment, and never boarded his flight.

No contact has been established with either man since 31 August.

Given the reports of harassment by the authorities prior to their disappearance, we are extremely concerned that Krishna Upadhyaya and Ghimire Gundev are very likely being held – without charge – by Qatari security forces. We will hold the Qatari government directly responsible for their safety and well-being.

We have been told, repeatedly, that Qatar is improving its treatment of migrant workers, including hundreds of thousands from Nepal. If this is true then it should welcome research such as that carried out by GDRN. The outrageous treatment of their researchers can only reinforce the view that Qatar is not serious about human rights within its borders, and has no intention of reforming the working and living conditions of its migrant workforce.

Qatar should not only encourage outside bodies to investigate conditions, but also permit workers full freedom of association and allow them to become part of the inspection regime through the activities of free trade unions. Only then will the government be able to guarantee to the international community that improvements to workers’ rights are being implemented.

We urge your government immediately to release Krishna and Ghimire and ensure their safe departure from Qatar; to ensure that they are protected from all forms of torture or other ill-treatment and to provide them with any medical treatment they may require. 

Yours sincerely

FRANCES O’GRADY

General Secretary

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