KATHMANDU: Two British human rights workers of Nepali origin, who were investigating into Nepali migrant workers’ plight in Qatar, have been missing since Sunday. 

Human rights researcher Krishna Upadhaya, 52, and photographer Gundev Ghimire, 36, disappeared on Sunday afternoon while investigating the plight of migrant workers deployed for constructing the facilities for Qatar’s 2022 World Cup, UK’s Independent newspaper reported.

The duo, carrying British passports, had texted their colleagues that they were being followed by police officers in civvies and feared their arrest as they were to fly out of Qatar that day, according to the daily. The newspaper reported that the researchers were working in cooperation with Nepali diplomats in the city. However, Embassy of Nepal in Qatar stated it came to know about the matter from the media. “We were not aware about their investigation here in Qatar,” said Ganesh Dhakal, Charge d’Affairs of the Embassy. 

A source said the Nepali mission couldn’t formally take up the issue with Qatari officials since it’s a case relating to “British citizens”. Upadhaya is originally from Jhapa and Ghimire from Lalitpur. 

Upadhyaya’s nephew Shreya Paudel, who resides in London, confirmed the disappearance. According to him, the duo was in Norway before leaving for Qatar for the assignment on August 27. According to Independent, they were employed by a Norwegian organisation, Global Network for Rights and Development. 

Stating that the duo might have been detained by Qatar police, GNRD stated, “We are deeply concerned that our employees, both British citizens, may have been subjected to enforced disappearance and are currently at risk of torture.” 

When inquired about their whereabouts, Ambassador of Qatar to Nepal Ahmed Ali Al-Hamer said, “The embassy is not officially aware about the matter.” British Embassy in Kathmandu also claimed it was not aware about the matter.

Published on: 5 September 2014 | The Himalayan Times