Nepalese workers not an abused lot, says NHRC

MOODY TALAT

DOHA

QATAR'S National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) has refuted the allegations published in The Guardian newspaper regarding the mortalities and plight of Nepalese workers in Qatar, during a press conference in Doha on Monday. Representatives of the Nepalese community in the country were also present on the occasion.

œThe NHRC in Qatar realises the value of all human lives and the importance of preserving it and guarantees the rights of the family members of workers in the event of their death. The number of deaths given in the slanderous report vastly differs from the actual figure. The NHRC provided statistics and figures to the government officials who promised that the information published in The Guardian will be investigated,  a statement issued by the NHRC said.

During the meeting, NHRC Chairman Dr Ali bin Samikh al Marri said: œNew laws were framed recently in the country to combat human trafficking and punish sponsors who do not pay employees their dues on time.  œAny person, worker, or institution has the right to reach out or complain to our committee regarding any issue of human rights abuse,  he noted.

According to the legal advisor of the Non-Resident Nepali Association Mohammed Ramzan, the recent media reports were 'false'.

œWe deny all that has been claimed in these false reports and ask them not to use Nepalese workers as a ploy to achieve their hidden agendas. We also stress that all the Nepalese workers are safe and fully respected,  Ramzan said.

Regarding cooperation between Qatar and Nepal, the NHRC chairman revealed that the committee would soon open an office for the Nepalese community affairs to further coordinate the efforts between the two parties regarding workers' conditions and human rights issues.

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