UAE Grants Amnesty to 128 Nepali Nationals During Ramadan
UAE grants amnesty to 128 Nepali nationals during Ramadan; Nepal thanks Abu Dhabi as embassy coordinates repatriation, consular support and bilateral goodwill.
The United Arab Emirates granted amnesty to 128 Nepali nationals on April 15, 2026, in a humanitarian gesture timed to coincide with Ramadan. UAE grants amnesty to Nepali nationals, freeing detainees who had been serving a variety of sentences, the Nepali Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in an official statement. The move prompted expressions of gratitude from Kathmandu and renewed focus on consular coordination ahead of repatriation efforts.
Pardons Issued on Humanitarian Grounds During Ramadan
The UAE pardons applied to 128 Nepali prisoners who were in custody for different offences, according to the Nepali foreign ministry. Officials described the decision as based on humanitarian considerations and consistent with national clemency practices often observed during the holy month of Ramadan. The release underscores a seasonal pattern of pardons in some Gulf countries that is typically framed as an act of compassion.
Nepal Officially Welcomes the Amnesty
The Government of Nepal formally thanked the UAE for the pardon, saying the act strengthened bilateral goodwill and demonstrated humane treatment of foreign nationals. The foreign ministry’s statement said Kathmandu appreciated the decision at the highest levels and viewed it as a positive step in diplomatic ties. Nepalese authorities also underscored the importance of ensuring safe and orderly returns for those granted clemency.
Embassy in Abu Dhabi Led Coordination Efforts
The amnesty and subsequent administrative steps were completed in close coordination with the Nepali Embassy in Abu Dhabi, which handled consular clearances and documentation. Embassy staff worked with UAE authorities to verify identities, process release paperwork and prepare travel documents for repatriation. Consular officials are also liaising with families in Nepal to arrange reception and follow-up support once the freed nationals arrive home.
Logistics of Repatriation and Consular Support
Repatriation will involve medical checks, travel clearances and flight arrangements coordinated between the embassy, Nepal’s ministries and UAE authorities. Nepali officials said they will assist with immigration formalities and coordinate transport from detention facilities to departure points. The government also signalled plans to provide reintegration assistance and counselling for returnees who may face social or economic challenges on their return.
Context: Recent Pardons in the Gulf Region
The latest amnesty follows a series of recent pardons involving Nepali nationals across the Gulf, reflecting an ongoing pattern of seasonal clemency in the region. Earlier reports noted coordinated releases affecting Nepalis in the UAE and neighbouring states, and officials in Kathmandu said they maintain regular contact with Gulf governments to protect migrant welfare. Humanitarian pardons are frequently emphasised by sending and receiving states as a mechanism to defuse long-standing consular cases and reduce detainee backlogs.
Implications for Bilateral Relations and Migrant Welfare
Diplomats from both countries framed the amnesty as reinforcing cooperation on labour mobility, consular protection and broader diplomatic engagement. For Nepal, which relies heavily on remittances from overseas workers, the safe return of citizens and prompt consular assistance remain priority policy areas. UAE officials have in the past highlighted their commitment to the rule of law while also permitting executive clemency in individual cases deemed appropriate on humanitarian grounds.
The amnesty granted on April 15, 2026, marks a notable episode in UAE–Nepal relations and sets immediate practical tasks for the Nepali Embassy in Abu Dhabi and Kathmandu ministries. As authorities complete repatriation and reintegration steps, both governments said they will continue collaboration to protect migrant rights and resolve outstanding consular matters.
