Overview of Indian Nationals in Foreign Prisons: Government Report

As of now, there are 10,152 Indian nationals imprisoned in foreign jails, including 25 on death row in the UAE. The Indian government provides assistance to these prisoners and reports on incidents of executions in several countries over the past five years. No executions of Indians in the UAE have been confirmed between 2020 and 2024.

The Indian government has reported that there are currently 10,152 Indian nationals imprisoned in foreign prisons, which includes individuals undergoing trials. Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, disclosed that among these, 25 individuals have received death sentences in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), although their executions have not yet taken place. The government is committed to the well-being and safety of its citizens abroad, particularly those incarcerated.

Mr. Singh provided a comprehensive breakdown of capital punishment instances involving Indian nationals in various countries. The report indicates 25 death sentences in the UAE, alongside 11 in Saudi Arabia, six in Malaysia, three in Kuwait, and single cases in Indonesia, Qatar, the United States, and Yemen.

Assistance is being provided by the Indian government for nationals facing capital punishment, which includes support in seeking legal remedies such as appeals and mercy petitions. “Indian Missions/Posts abroad provide all possible assistance to Indian nationals who have been sentenced, including with death sentences by the foreign courts,” Mr. Singh stated. The missions also ensure consular access by visiting jails and coordinating with relevant judicial authorities.

Regarding recent executions of Indian nationals in foreign countries, Mr. Singh indicated that such actions have occurred in Malaysia, Kuwait, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia over the past five years. He mentioned that in 2024 alone, three Indians were executed in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, and one individual in Zimbabwe, while 2023 witnessed five executions in the same Middle Eastern countries.

On the situation in the UAE, Mr. Singh clarified that no official execution data is available, but informal sources suggest that no Indians have been executed from 2020 to 2024. “No data available as the same is not shared by the UAE authorities. As per the informal information available with the Mission, no Indians have been executed from 2020 to 2024,” he reported.

In summary, the Indian government reports a substantial number of Indian nationals imprisoned abroad, especially highlighting the concerns regarding death row sentences in countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia. The government’s ongoing efforts to assist these individuals include legal support and consular access. While there have been a few executions in recent years, informal data indicates no executions of Indians in the UAE from 2020 to 2024, reflecting a critical focus on the safety of Indian nationals overseas.

Original Source: www.ndtv.com