Five rights groups ask Qatar to reveal location of arrested migrant rights activist News
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Five rights groups ask Qatar to reveal location of arrested migrant rights activist

Five organizations working for migrant rights Thursday asked Qatar to reveal the location of Malcolm Bidali, a security guard from Kenya who wrote about the issues faced by migrant workers in the country and was arrested by the police on May 4. Prior to his arrest, Bidali had discussions with trade unions and civil society organizations about his own experience as a migrant worker in Qatar.

According to a joint press release by Migrant-Rights.org, FairSquare Projects, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and Business and Human Rights Resource Center:

On 11 May a joint letter was sent to the Qatari authorities, urging them to investigate Malcolm’s disappearance as a matter of urgency. Late on 12 May, the government confirmed that Malcolm Bidali has been detained and is under investigation for violating Qatar’s security laws and regulations. However, the authorities have not yet disclosed his whereabouts.

The five organizations raised concern about how the authorities have not yet provided them with the reasons for Bidali’s arrest. They have asked the Qatari authorities to ensure that Bidali’s rights are respected, including legal representation and protection from torture. They also asserted in the press release that he be released immediately if he was detained for exercising his freedom of expression through peaceful means.

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