Dear Friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received updated information regarding two Sikkimese women, employed as domestic workers, who are stranded in Saudi Arabia, They have made an emergency call to their family begging to be rescued, alleging that they are being tortured, their passports confiscated and that they are confined to a small room, unable to escape.
CASE NARRATIVE:
The AHRC received information on the plight of the two women, Peki Bhutia and Menuka Rai from Sikkim through the Impulse NGO Network(Shillong). Along with the information from a news report in the North East Today, published on July 29, the information so far reveals that the two women made a distress call to their families, seeking emergency help. The families have been quoted as saying that the women said they were physically tortured, their passports confiscated by their agent in Saudi Arabia and they were not allowed any contact with the outside world. They were recruited by an agent, Bala of Mumbai.
The families contacted Mr. Robin Hibu, IGP, for help, a police officer who is very responsive on issues faced by people from the North-East and he has mobilized volunteers from the Helping Hands NGO, who have been following up the case. In the most recent update on his Facebook page, he has stated that ,
“-On persistence relentless follow up by Helping Hands members, in the cases of two sikkimese females under ‘forceful captive ‘ at Saudi Arab…. Sikkim police has just now arrested lady kingpin who used to send our NE girls to foreign countries especially in Gulf countries.”
It was also updated that the Helping Hands volunteers were able to reach one of the women.
ADDITONAL INFORMATION:
Cases of women from the North-east being lured to countries in the Gulf and trafficked are becoming more common. It is imperative that news of such cases reach the mainstream media and awareness is built so that help can be mobilized to save them and they are made aware of the dangers of trusting illegal recruiting agents.
SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please write letters to the following authorities calling on them to take the necessary action to ensure the safe release of the women and their return to India. The rogue agents and others involved in this criminal act of human trafficking must be brought to book immediately. Awareness drives must be conducted in the North-east so people can obtain jobs through legal agents and recruiters.
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear ___________,
INDIA: Two Sikkimese domestic workers stranded, tortured in Saudi Arabia
Name of victims: Peki Bhutia, Menaka Rai
Names of alleged perpetrators: Bala (recruiting agent), Employers in Saudi Arabia
Date of incident: July 29, 2-17
Place of incident: Saudi Arabia
I am writing to voice my deep concern regarding plight of the two women, Peki Bhutia and Menuka Rai from Sikkim through the Impulse NGO Network(Shillong). Along with the information from a news report in the North East Today, published on July 29, the information so far reveals that the two women made a distress call to their families, seeking emergency help. The families have been quoted as saying that the women said they were physically tortured, their passports confiscated by their agent in Saudi Arabia and they were not allowed any contact with the outside world. They were allegedly recruited by an agent, Bala of Mumbai.
The families contacted Mr. Robin Hibu, IGP, for help, a police officer who is very responsive on issues faced by people from the North-East and he has mobilized volunteers from the Helping Hands NGO, who have been following up the case. In the most recent update on his Facebook page, he has stated that ,
“-On persistence relentless follow up by Helping Hands members, in the cases of two sikkimese females under ‘forceful captive ‘ at Saudi Arab…. Sikkim police has just now arrested lady kingpin who used to send our NE girls to foreign countries especially in Gulf countries.”
It was also updated that the Helping Hands volunteers were able to reach one of the women.
I wish for much-needed attention to be brought to this grave situation of human rights abuse of women from the North-East on a global scale and hope the authorities are pressurized to take action. Therefore, I hereby request you to arrest the criminal recruiting agents involved, pressurize the authorities in Saudi Arabi to arrest the employers who have abused the women and urge the Ministry of Externa Affairs to ensure her safe return to India.
Yours Sincerely,
……………….
PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:
1. Justice H.L. Dattu, Chairperson
National Human Rights Commission
Manav Adhikar Bhawan
Block-C, G.P.O. Complex, INA
New Delhi-110023
Email: cr.nhrc@nic.in
2. Mrs. Sushma Swaraj
Minister of External Affairs
South Block, Cabinet Secretariat,
Raisina Hill, New Delhi, 110 011
Tel:23011127, 23011165
Email: eam@mea.gov.in
3. Mr. MJ Akbar,
National Spokesperson, BJP
9, Teen Murti Lane
New Delhi – 110011
Ph: 011-46502605
Email : mjakbar@hotmail.com
4. Mr. Ahmad Javed
Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia
B-1, Diplomatic Quarter,
PO Box 94387, Riyadh 11693,
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Tel. Nos.: 00-966-11-4884144
Fax No : 00-96-11-4884750
Email: amb.riyadh@mea.gov.in
5. Mr. Anil Nautiyal
Counsellor – Community Welfare
B-1, Diplomatic Quarter,
PO Box 94387, Riyadh 11693,
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Tel. Nos.: 00-966-11-4884144
Email: sscw@indianembassy.org.sa
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission (ua@ahrc.asia)
