New Delhi [India], July 10: CPI Rajya Sabha MP Sandosh Kumar has made an urgent appeal to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, seeking immediate diplomatic intervention to prevent the execution of Nimisha Priya, an Indian nurse from Kerala, who faces capital punishment in Yemen on July 16.
In a strongly worded letter to Jaishankar, Kumar emphasized the seriousness of Nimisha’s situation and the public outcry it has triggered. He wrote, “Nimisha’s case has not only shaken the conscience of the public but also raised serious concerns about the lack of legal safeguards and the humanitarian dimensions of her ordeal.”
Nimisha Priya, 37, was convicted of killing a Yemeni national — a decision upheld by Yemen’s Supreme Judicial Council in November 2023. Reports indicate that she endured repeated abuse and coercion by her business partner while working in Yemen, and was denied access to her passport, leaving her vulnerable and exploited.
Kumar pointed out that India does not have formal diplomatic relations with Yemen, making it imperative for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to act swiftly and through alternative humanitarian channels. He noted that the Yemeni legal system permits the payment of diyat (blood money), which could be a path to resolution if facilitated diplomatically.
“The Communist Party of India has stood by Nimisha Priya’s family throughout their fight for justice. This is not just about saving a life; it’s about the Indian government reaffirming its commitment to protect its citizens abroad, especially the most vulnerable,” Kumar stated.
He urged the MEA to explore all options, including diplomatic negotiation and humanitarian outreach, to stop the execution.
In response to media queries, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed the government’s awareness of the case and said, “The government is extending all possible help in the matter.”
The appeal adds to the growing voices urging the Indian government to act swiftly to save Nimisha Priya, who traveled to Yemen for work and is now facing a dire outcome in a foreign land.