25 Indian nationals in UAE, 11 in Saudi Arabia awarded death
25 Indian nationals in UAE, 11 in Saudi Arabia awarded death sentence, judgement yet to be implemented: Government
As many as 25 Indian nationals in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and 11 in Saudi Arabia have been awarded death sentence but the judgement is yet to be implemented
NEW DELHI — As many as 25 Indian nationals in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)
and 11 in Saudi Arabia have been awarded death sentence but the judgement is
yet to be implemented, the government informed Parliament on Thursday.
Citing the "informal information" available
with the local Indian Mission, the government also detailed that no Indian
national has been executed in the UAE between 2020-2024.
Replying to a question in Rajya Sabha on 'Indians
languishing in prisons in foreign countries', Minister of State for External
Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh said in a written response that, as per the
information available with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the number
of Indian prisoners, including undertrials, in foreign prisons at present
stands at 10,152.
While revealing the country-wise list, the minister
highlighted that, due to strong privacy laws prevailing in many countries, the
local authorities do not share information on prisoners unless the person
concerned consents to the disclosure of such information. Even countries which
share information do not generally provide detailed information about the
foreign nationals imprisoned, he mentioned.
"The government attaches high priority to the
safety, security and well-being of Indian nationals in foreign countries,
including those in the foreign jails. Indian Missions/Posts abroad remain
vigilant and closely monitor the incidents of Indian nationals being put in
jail in foreign countries for violation/ alleged violation of local laws. As
soon as the information about the detention/arrest of an Indian national is
received by an Indian Mission/Post, it immediately gets in touch with the local
Foreign Office and other concerned local authorities to get consular access to
the detained/arrested Indian national to ascertain the facts of the case,
confirm his/her Indian nationality and ensure his/her welfare," the
minister informed.
According to the details submitted by the MEA, as many as
seven Indian nationals - three each in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia and one in
Zimbabwe - were either executed or given capital punishment in 2024.
The number of Indian nationals who have been awarded
death sentence but the judgement is yet to be implemented include 25 in UAE, 11
in Saudi Arabia, six in Malaysia, three in Kuwait and one each in Indonesia,
Qatar, USA and Yemen.
"Indian Missions/Posts abroad provide all possible
assistance to Indian nationals who have been sentenced, including with death
sentences by the foreign courts. Indian Missions/Posts also provide consular
access by visiting the jails and follows up their cases with courts, jails,
public prosecutors and other concerned agencies. The jailed Indian nationals
are also assisted in exploring various legal remedies including filing of
appeal, mercy petition, etc," Singh noted in his reply.
While the issue of release and repatriation of Indian
nationals in foreign prisons is regularly pursued by Indian Missions and Posts
abroad with the local authorities concerned, the government also follows it up
during consular and other consultations with other countries.
"In addition, the government, through its
Missions/Posts abroad and during high level visits, also takes up and pursues
grant of amnesty/commutation of sentences of Indian prisoners in foreign
countries. India has also entered into prisoner transfer treaties with many
nations that allow a person convicted of a crime to be transferred to his/her
home country to serve the prison sentence," the minister detailed in his
response.
The Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) has also been
set up in Indian Missions and Posts abroad for assisting overseas Indian
nationals in distress situations on a means tested basis in deserving cases.
The support extended under ICWF includes financial assistance to Indian
prisoners for legal aid as well as travel documents/air tickets during
repatriation.
