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.

Published on: 21 September 2014 | The Kathmandu Post