URGENT APPEAL FOR
\nGOVERNMENT OF INDIA
\nTO ACT NOW<\/p>\n
We have learnt from media reports and inmates that thousands of Asian and African
\nmigrant workers arrested in Saudi Arabia are sheltered in deportation centers in Riyadh
\nand Jeddah in squalid conditions.<\/p>\n
By talking to the inmates, we have assessed that there are more than 10,000 Indian,
\nAfrican, Nepali, and Sri Lankan migrant workers, all together, left to rot in the two
\ndeportation centers.<\/p>\n
According to an Indian embassy note released on its official Twitter account on October 6
\nin Saudi Arabia, there are still 559 Indian inmates in the two deportation centers waiting to
\nbe repatriated. Their note reveals that some 1,500 were repatriated during the last few weeks.<\/p>\n
We have talked to the inmates currently in deportation centers and have understood that
\nthey have been denied sufficient food, drinking water, timely health access, legal access
\nand speedy repatriation.<\/p>\n
We have learnt that there are even diabetic and cancer patients sheltered without any
\nproper medication. The inmates in the Riyadh Iskan 2 deportation center in Al Kharj area have alleged
\nthat, even during the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, violating all social distancing norms set by
\nWorld Health Organisation, in a room which can accommodate only 80, some 250 have
\nbeen housed.<\/p>\n
The videos shot inside the deportation center in Iskan 2 confirm that the inmates are even
\nforced to sleep in front of latrines on the floor with unhygienic blankets.
\nThe Indian inmates have alleged that many have spent more than six months already in the
\ndeportation centers with uncertainty on their return haunting them.<\/p>\n
The Indian inmates who have returned to India during the last few weeks, have alleged that
\nthey were abused mentally and physically. They allege that the security officials have beaten them with
\niron rods without any reasons.<\/p>\n
An Indian inmate who had returned on September 23 to India had revealed to us that he
\nwas picked by the police despite being an engineer in the Kingdom for 24 years working
\nwith a multi-national company and despite having valid documents to stay and work in the
\nKingdom. He was denied access to justice and had to spend some four months in the
\ndeportation center.<\/p>\n
In November 2017, Saudi Arabia launched a campaign to detain foreigners found in
\nviolation of existing labor, residency, or border security laws, including those without valid
\nresidency or work permits, or those found working for an employer other than their legal
\nsponsor.<\/p>\n
On September 21, 2019, authorities announced that the campaign had netted over 3.8
\nmillion arrests, including for over 3 million residency law violations and over 595,000 labor
\nlaw violations.
\nThe campaign had referred over 962,000 individuals for deportation. The International
\nOrganization for Migration (IOM) estimates as many as 500,000 Ethiopians were in Saudi
\nArabia when the deportation campaign began. About 260,000 Ethiopians, an average of
\n10,000 per month, were deported from Saudi Arabia to Ethiopia between May 2017 and
\nMarch 2019, according to the IOM, and deportations have continued.<\/p>\n
We strongly call upon the government of India to:
\n1. Immediately to take up the issue of Indians in detention and deportation centers in
\nSaudi Arabia and for them to be treated in a humane in dignified manner.
\n2. Ensure that all in detention and deportation centers are given the opportunity to
\nstate why and what lead to their detention.
\n3. Ensure that no Indian worker is deported from Saudi Arabia who has grievance or
\ndues owed.
\n4. Ensure that any deportation from Saudi Arabia follows the World Health
\nOrganization guidelines for repatriation.
\n5. Ensure that deported migrant workers upon arrival must be given the opportunity
\nto inform relevant Indian authorities, including NHRC of India, of any grievances or
\ninjustices experienced in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n
We kindly request you to sign this petition and support in making an appeal to<\/strong> Click here to sign the petition: <\/strong>https:\/\/docs.google.com\/forms\/d\/e\/1FAIpQLSfVs_V2BKpi4lpTRdVm16pDtdxF8GDtRQykyR5NzyF6sxyGdw\/viewform?embedded=true<\/a><\/p>\n Centre for Indian Migrants Studies, Sub Jail Road,
\nthe Government of India for its immediate intervention to save the migrant<\/strong>
\nworkers in Saudi Arabia’s detention camps and protect their rights.<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nKochi- 683101 , www.cimskerala.org<\/p>\n