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Human rights organisations have urged Qatari authorities to disclose the whereabouts of a Kenyan citizen, Mr Malcolm Bidali, who was arrested by the Gulf nation’s security service.
The groups, in a joint statement, say Mr Bidali disappeared on May 4, 2021, when he was taken for questioning.
The rights group are the Qatar-Migrant-Rights, FairSquare, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and Business & Human Rights Resource Centre.
“A week before his arrest, Bidali gave a presentation to a large group of civil society organisations and trade unions about his experience of working in Qatar,” said the coalition of rights groups in a statement.
Mr Bidali is a security guard in Qatar. He is also a blogger and activist, who writes under the pen name Noah on the plight of migrant workers in the Gulf nation.
“Since arriving in Qatar three years ago Mr Bidali has been on the frontline of the fight to reform Qatar’s labour laws, including by writing about his experiences as a migrant worker in the country,” said the organisations.
The groups, in a joint letter to Qatari authorities on May 11, called for the investigations on the disappearance of Mr Bidali.
The following day, May 12, the government confirmed that he had been detained and was being questioned for violating Qatar’s security laws and regulations. However, the authorities have not yet disclosed his whereabouts.
“We are still in the dark as to Bidali’s location and the exact reason for his detention. We urge the authorities to disclose Bidali’s whereabouts, ensure he is protected from torture and other ill-treatment,” said the coalition.
The groups added that the Qatari authorities must outline any internationally recognisable offence against him and ensure his right to due process is fully respected including ensuring he has legal assistance.
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