KATHMANDU, SEP 21 -
Two British human rights workers of Nepali descent, who were detained
by the authorities in Qatar, have reached London after spending nearly
three weeks in custody, family members said.
Krishna Upadhyaya and Gundev Ghimire were detained on August 31. The
Norway-based Global Network for Rights and Development had hired the duo
to study the conditions of migrant workers at construction facilities
for Qatar’s 2022 World Cup.“We are glad that they reached home safely,”
said Shyam Ghimire, Gunadev’s brother. He thanked all the institutions
and individuals who advocated for their release. “It has been a great
relief and it could have never happened without all this support.”
Amid growing international concerns over their disappearance, the
Qatari government had confirmed about their arrest one week after they
were reported missing. Qatar's foreign ministry had issued a statement
saying the two men were arrested for violating legal provisions, without
elaborating the offences they had committed.
Qatar government freed Upadhyaya and Ghimire two days after confirming their detention.
