Case History: Ghimire Gundev
On the afternoon of 31 August 2014, human rights defenders Messrs Krishna Upadhyaya and Ghimire Gundev disappeared after being followed by plain-clothed police officers. They were detained by the State Security forces and were accused of “having violated the provisions of the laws of the State of Qatar”. While in detention, the human rights defenders did not have access to legal representation. They were released nine days later, on 9 September 2014.
Ghimire Gundev is a British citizen who has investigated the conditions of migrant labourers who are constructing facilities for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. He is an employees of the Global Network for Rights and Development (GNRD).
On 9 September 2014, Messrs Krishna Upadhyaya and Ghimire Gundev were released from detention.
Krishna Upadhyaya and Ghimire Gundev are British citizens working to investigate the conditions of migrant labourers who are constructing facilities for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Both men are employees of the Global Network for Rights and Development (GNRD).
On 27 August 2014, Krishna Upadhyaya flew from Norway and Ghimire Gundev flew from London to Doha, Qatar to investigate the conditions of Nepalese labourers. The human rights defenders were scheduled to return to their respective destinations on 31 August 2014. However, neither Krishna Upadhyaya or Ghimire Gundev managed to board their flights despite having checked out from the hotel that afternoon. It was reported that a number of plain-clothed policemen were present at the hotel where they were residing before they were reported missing on 31 August 2014.
The Foreign Ministry of Qatar had confirmed the arrest and detention of both human rights defenders on 6 September 2014. They had been detained by the State Security forces and were accused of “having violated the provisions of the laws of the State of Qatar”. The human rights defenders did not have access to legal representation while in detention. Moreover, the British embassy was able to visit Krishna Upadhyaya and Ghimire Gundev only on the evening of 6 September 2014.
Front Line defenders welcomes Krishna Upadhyaya and Ghimire Gundev's release, but remains concerned that their detention was motivated solely by their peaceful and legitmiate human rights work.
On 6 September 2014, the Foreign Ministry of Qatar confirmed the arrest and detention of Messrs Krishna Upadhyaya and Ghimire Gundev. They were detained by the State Security forces and were accused of “having violated the provisions of the laws of the State of Qatar”.
It is not clear which specific laws the two human rights defenders are alleged to have violated. Reportedly, the Director of the Department of Consular Affairs at the Foreign Ministry stated that the actions taken against these human rights defenders has been consistent with the human rights obligations of the State of Qatar.
Krishna Upadhyaya and Ghimire Gundev are British citizens working to investigate the conditions of migrant labourers who are constructing facilities for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Both human rights defenders are employees of the Global Network for Rights and Development (GNRD).
On 27 August 2014, Krishna Upadhyaya flew from Norway and Ghimire Gundev flew from London to Doha, Qatar to investigate the conditions of Nepalese labourers. The human rights defenders were scheduled to return to their respective destinations on 31 August 2014. However, neither Krishna Upadhyaya or Ghimire Gundev managed to board their flights despite having checked out from the hotel that afternoon. It was reported that a number of plain-clothed policemen were present at the hotel where they were residing before they were reported missing on 31 August 2014.
Front Line Defenders is concerned by the detention of Krishna Upadhyaya and Ghimire Gundev as it is believed that they may have been detained solely as a result of their research into migrant labourers.
On the afternoon of 31 August 2014, human rights defenders Messrs Krishna Upadhyaya and Ghimire Gundev disappeared after being followed by plain-clothed police officers.
Krishna Upadhyaya and Ghimire Gundev are British citizens working to investigate the conditions of migrant labourers who are constructing facilities for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Both human rights defenders are employees of the Global Network for Rights and Development (GNRD).
On 27 August 2014, Krishna Upadhyaya flew from Norway and Ghimire Gundev flew from London to Doha, Qatar to investigate the conditions of Nepalese labourers. The human rights defenders carried out their investigations in coordination with Nepalese diplomats and were followed by police during their stay. On the evening of 30 August 2014, Krishna Upadhyaya sent a message to a friend in Norway expressing concerns about being under police surveillance.
The human rights defenders were scheduled to return to their respective destinations on 31 August 2014. However, neither Krishna Upadhyaya or Ghimire Gundev managed to board their flights despite having checked out from the hotel that afternoon. It was reported that a number of plain-clothed policemen were present at the hotel where they were residing.
Despite repeated attempts by GNRD to contact the Qatari authorities, the whereabouts of the two human rights researchers remain unknown.
Front Line Defenders is concerned by the disappearance of Krishna Upadhyaya and Ghimire Gundev and believe they are at risk of enforced disappearance given the accounts of police surveillance.
