The Indian government confirmed that 25 nationals are sentenced to death in the UAE. Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh provided these details to Parliament, highlighting that a total of 10,152 Indians are prisoners abroad. The government ensures support through diplomatic missions for those facing death sentences. Executions of Indians have occurred in other countries, but the UAE has reportedly not executed any Indians between 2020 and 2024.
The Indian government has confirmed that 25 nationals are currently sentenced to death in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), although executions have not yet been carried out. This information was disclosed by Kirti Vardhan Singh, the Minister of State for External Affairs, in a written response to inquiries in the Rajya Sabha, emphasizing the government’s commitment to the safety and welfare of Indian citizens abroad.
Minister Singh reported that the total number of Indian prisoners, including undertrials, in foreign prisons stands at 10,152. He presented data regarding Indians facing capital punishment in eight countries, including 25 in the UAE, 11 in Saudi Arabia, six in Malaysia, three in Kuwait, and one each in Indonesia, Qatar, the US, and Yemen. This highlights the critical situations faced by Indian nationals in various foreign settings.
The minister assured that Indian diplomatic missions abroad strive to support nationals sentenced to death by providing consular access, visiting prisons, and maintaining communication with courts and relevant authorities. Additionally, assistance is available for exploring legal options, including filing appeals and mercy petitions, to facilitate their legal recourse.
Regarding recent executions, Singh detailed that over the past five years, Indians have faced execution in foreign nations, including Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, and Qatar. Specifically, in 2024, three Indians were executed in Kuwait and three in Saudi Arabia, while one Indian was executed in Zimbabwe. In 2023, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia each conducted five executions, with Malaysia recording one Indian execution.
Singh noted that the UAE has not officially provided data on executions but indicated, based on informal sources, that no Indians had been executed from 2020 to 2024. This underscores the ongoing and complex legal challenges facing Indian nationals abroad, particularly those subjected to death sentences.
The Indian government has actively informed Parliament regarding the status of its nationals sentenced to death abroad, particularly in the UAE, where 25 individuals await the execution of their sentences. Additionally, the ministry has emphasized its ongoing commitment to the safety and legal support of these individuals while acknowledging the serious implications of capital punishment across various countries. This situation highlights the importance of consular assistance and legal avenues available to protection-seeking Indian nationals internationally.
Original Source: www.cnbctv18.com
