Embassy in UAE starts probe into ‘human trafficking’ case
The Embassy of Nepal in Abu Dhabi has started investigation into a case in which human trafficking on the pretext of a cultural programme is suspected.
The Embassy of Nepal in Abu Dhabi has started investigation into a case in which human trafficking on the pretext of a cultural programme is suspected.
An organisation by the name of Creative Group and Association of Nepali Youth Immigrants in the United Arab Emirates had invited some “national artists” from Nepal for a “Valentine’s Night” programme on February 12. A group 10 Nepali artistes was supposed to perform at the programme in Abu Dhabi. The main artistes returned home after the programme but five persons in the group, who were said to be “dancers”, stayed back in the UAE.
“ I paid Rs 150,000 to ‘the agents’ and came here with the cultural group,” said a woman, who has been living in Sharjah, over phone, admitting that she entered the UAE as a dancer of the cultural group. “Each individual paid Rs 150,000 to 300,000,” she said.
Dipak Khadka, general secretary of the UAE Non Resident Nepali Association, informed that they have requested the Nepali Embassy and concerned authorities to take legal action against the guilty. However, one Mahesh Giri who had filed an application at the embassy to bring Nepali artistes, dismissed that he had any involvement in human trafficking.
21 Nepalis repatriated from Malaysia
The Nepali Embassy in Malaysia on Wednesday repatriated 21 Nepali migrant workers languishing in Malaysian detention camps. The mission has repatriated 450 Nepalis from the Southeast Asian country in the last one year.
The workers had been arrested for working without legal status and forced into in the detention camps as they could not afford air tickets for their return.
“The workers were sent home with assistance of various organisations and Malaysian companies,” the embassy said in a statement, adding that efforts are being made for safe repatriation of other workers held in various detention centres. An estimated 10,000 Nepalis are believed to be serving jail terms in Malaysian prison after being arrested for non compliance with the country’s immigration rule. Besides, more than 50,000 Nepalis are believed to be working without legal status. The Malaysia government has launched a crackdown on foreigners working illegally in the country, after temporarily suspending further hiring of foreign workers to “regulate domestic labour market and encourage local youths to take on unskilled jobs.”
Malaysia’s jail and detention camps are notorious for harsh treatment to foreigners. Nepal’s former foreign Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha said the Nepalis were facing “inhumane treatment”.'
Hom Karki is a reporter with two decades experience covering migrant workers issues and the Nepali diaspora. He was previously based in the Gulf for Kantipur Daily.
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