Amnesty International (AI) has criticized Nepal´s ambassador to Qatar Maya Kumari Sharma for attempting to deport a Nepali working in Qatar over an article written against her. 

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the AI said that targeting to Dipendra Bhetwal for his article was not only violation of his right to freedom of expression, but also demonstrates the systemic failure of Nepalese government to protect their nationals working abroad. Bhetwal wrote an article criticizing Nepal´s ambassador to Qatar Maya Kumari Sharma of not being able to protect the rights of Nepalese migrants working in Qatar.

The AI said the ambassador´s attempt to silence Bhetwal for voicing his concern about the lack of consular support workers receive will prove counterproductive. "In 2013, the Ministries of Labour and Empoyment IMoLE), and Foreign Affairs (MoFA) made claims to AI that they were working together to ´reform and strengthen the capacity of diplomatic missions to deliver services to Nepalese worker´. However, Ambassdor Sharma´s recent action is inconsistent with this unified message," the statement further said. 

The statement said, "Earlier in March of this year, the International Labor Organization (ILO) concluded that Nepalese government officials were complicit in the trafficking for forced labor of its migrant workers". The AI said that Nepalese consular staffs should be trained in providing effective and timely assistance to the workers, including information on redress mechanisms. 

Also, the AI´s 2011 report ´False Promise´ said that Nepalese migrant workers and returnees routinely face a brick wall when going to government offices for help in resolving disputes or seeking compensations. The report claimed that the Nepalese consular staffs failed to provide assistance when approached. 

Issuing public statement AI expressed concerns that the government although has increased the number of labors attaches in country with over 5, 000 Nepalese migrant workers, the resources and services to them does not meet with standards. 

AI statement said, "With an election called for November 19 it is high time for political parties in Nepal to take the protection of migrant workers seriously rather than to view migrants as mere revenue earners via their remittances".

Published on: 19 June 2013 | Republica