Qatar 2022: Two British citizens arrested after investigating working conditions of workers

Khalid bin Mohammad Al Attiyah, the foreign minister of Qatar, confirmed that two British members of the non-governmental organisation GNRD (Global Network for Rights and Development) were arrested and "are being interrogated for having violated the provisions of the laws of the State of Qatar," on 06/09/2014.

Krishna Upadhyaya and Ghimire Gundev, both from Nepal, had disappeared since 31/08/2014 whilst in Doha (Qatar), investigating the working conditions of immigrant workers at the constructions sites of stadiums for the 2022 World Cup, hosted in Qatar.

"I am well, I have been well looked after and I will be home soon. We have been arrested due to problems with our paperwork,” said Krishna Upadhyaya in a message to his family published by GNRD on 06/09/2014. "NRD has not yet received a coherent response from the Qatari authorities," added the non-governmental organisation the same day.

On 14/05/2014, Qatar promised a series of measures to ease residence restrictions on foreign workers. In particular, this involved the abolishment of the kafala system of "sponsorship" for these…