The emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, visited Nepal for the first time on Tuesday, as part of a tour that also included stops in Bangladesh and the Philippines. His visit to Nepal is expected to focus on improving the conditions of migrant workers from Nepal in Qatar, as well as seeking assistance in freeing a Nepali student who is still being held hostage by Hamas. Qatar hosts around 400,000 Nepali workers, primarily in construction and manual labor, and there have been concerns about their working conditions, including extreme heat, inadequate living facilities, and abuse. Human Rights Watch has called on Qatar, Nepal, and Bangladesh to prioritize labor protections for migrant workers during the emir’s visit.
During the visit, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani is scheduled to meet with Nepali dignitaries, including President Ram Chandra Poudyal and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal. Nepali officials are likely to seek the emir’s help in securing the release of Bipin Joshi, a Nepali student who was among a group of students attacked by Hamas near the Gaza Strip in October. While there has been no information on Joshi’s condition or whereabouts, Nepali officials believe he is still alive. The attack by Hamas in October resulted in the death of 10 Nepali students, with six others injured and Joshi taken captive. This incident has sparked a conflict that has led to the death of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza, with Qatar playing a key role in mediating talks between Israel and Hamas.
Qatar has been involved in mediating talks between Israel and Hamas throughout the conflict in Gaza, along with the United States and Egypt. The Gulf state was instrumental in negotiating a brief halt to the fighting in November, which resulted in the release of dozens of hostages. Qatar’s Foreign Ministry has stated that discussions are ongoing about Hamas’ presence in Qatar, where the militant group has had a political office in the capital city, Doha, for years. France and Qatar also mediated a deal in January for the shipment of medicine for the hostages held captive by Hamas. The emir’s visit to Nepal is seen as an opportunity to address the ongoing issues faced by migrant workers in Qatar and to seek assistance in securing the release of a Nepali student held hostage by Hamas.
The statement by Human Rights Watch emphasized the need for concrete and enforceable protections for migrant workers in Qatar, who often face abuses such as wage theft, contract violations, and chronic illness due to unsafe working conditions. While jobs in Qatar have allowed migrant workers to send remittances back home to their families, many continue to face challenges in the country. Nepali officials are hopeful that the emir’s visit to Nepal will result in progress towards ensuring the safety and well-being of Nepali migrant workers in Qatar, as well as securing the release of Bipin Joshi, the Nepali student held captive by Hamas. Qatar’s role in mediating talks between Israel and Hamas during the conflict in Gaza highlights the country’s diplomatic efforts in the region and its potential impact on resolving international conflicts and humanitarian issues.
