The Amnesty International has criticised the attempt of Maya Kumari Sharma, Nepal’s ambassador to Qatar, to deport a migrant worker for writing an article critical of her.

The Post on June 15 published a news report concerning the failed attempts of ambassador Sharma to deport Dipendra Bhetwal a month ago. The international watchdog has said that the act highlights the systematic failure of the government to protect the rights of migrant workers abroad.

“Amnesty International believes that the targeting of Bhetwal for his article is not only a violation of his right to freedom of expression, but also demonstrates the systemic failure of the Nepali government to protect its nationals working abroad,” reads a statement released on Tuesday. “Migrants are likely to view this as further confirmation that embassies and consulates do not serve the best interest of migrant workers, by far their largest constituency.”

AI has urged the government to focus more of its resources abroad on cleaning up the recruitment sector which it considers as a crucial first step in ensuring safe migration and combating the trafficking for forced labour of its migrant workers.

It has suggested the government appoint labour attaches to all the embassies in destination countries where more than 5,000 Nepali

workers are employed. It has further urged that the consular staff should be trained in providing effective and timely assistance to the workers, including information on redress mechanisms.

Published on: 19 June 2013 | The Kathmandu Post