Student arrested in Bahrain for criticizing treatment of workers

[qatarperegrine]

During a layover in Bahrain, a Nepali student returning home from the States happened to meet a large group of Nepali workers who were being deported from Qatar after organizing and agitating for better pay and benefits.

Upset at the disrespectful way these workers were being treated by airport staff, the student complained to Gulf Air -- and was promptly arrested, checked for blood alcohol, and detained overnight before being fined and sent on his (her?) way.

The student's blog post on the incident is here; it was later reprinted in the Kathmandu Times. I read about it in Qatar Living.

This line in particular struck me:

"He called the police and I was asked with two questions - if I was an American citizen, and whether I was holding an American passport. After my answer the way they treated me I wonder if being a Nepali was a sin. Since I was studying in the United States, the police told me that he would let me go if I made an apology to the Gulf Air staff."

Ever since my friend Andrew's brush with the law here in Doha I've had an inkling of the legal immunity conferred on me by my white skin and blue passport. It's sickening. And it makes me feel more resolved to speak out, since unlike my darker-skinned friends I'm unlikely to face arrest or deportation.

Somewhat relatedly, there is a meeting late this afternoon of a recently formed group seeking to advocate for worker rights in Doha. If anyone is interested, e-mail me for the contact info.

Comments

[materjibrail.livejournal.com]

That was me. I hadn't logged on.