Lok Sabha Question No. 5231 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-24
Subject: Indians on Death Row
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shashi Tharoor

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5231 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.07.2019

## INDIANS ON DEATH ROW

## 5231.     DR. SHASHI THAROOR:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the total number of Indians on death row in Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates along with the details thereof, country-wise;
- (b) out of the total number of Indians on death row in the above-mentioned countries, how many have been convicted for drug related offences;
- (c) the specific steps taken by the Ministry and the various missions in these countries to assist those Indians on death row;
- (d) whether the Minister received any assurance from the Governments of the aforesaid States to commute the death penalty awarded to such persons; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## [SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN]

(a) & (b) As per the information available with the Ministry, total number of Indians on death row in Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates is 44, including 5 who have been convicted for drug related offences. Details are given at Annexure.

(c) Indian   Missions/Posts   abroad   remain   vigilant   and   closely   monitor   the incidents of Indian nationals being put in jail in foreign countries for violation of local   laws   or   alleged   violation   of   local   laws.   Apart   from   extending   them   all possible consular assistance, Indian Missions and Posts also assist in providing legal aid wherever needed. Missions and Posts also maintain a local panel of lawyers where Indian community is in sizeable numbers.

(d) & (e)  The Government, through its Missions/Posts abroad and during high level visits, takes up and pursues grant of amnesty/commutation of sentences of Indian prisoners in foreign countries. Since 2016 till present, in  Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, a total of 3087 Indian nationals have received amnesty or commutation of their sentences.

## ANNEXURE

| S No   | Name of Country      | Number of Indians on death row   | Number of Indians on death row convicted for drug related offences   |
|--------|----------------------|----------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 1      | Bahrain              | Nil                              | Nil                                                                  |
| 2      | Iraq                 | Nil                              | Nil                                                                  |
| 3      | Kuwait               | 9                                | 5                                                                    |
| 4      | Oman                 | Nil                              | Nil                                                                  |
| 5      | Qatar                | Nil                              | Nil                                                                  |
| 6      | Saudi Arabia         | 12                               | Nil                                                                  |
| 7      | United Arab Emirates | 23                               | Nil                                                                  |
|        | Total                | 44                               | 5                                                                    |

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