DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Qatar has confirmed that it is holding two Britons who went missing while researching migrant labor issues, saying that the men are being questioned about possible illegal activities in the country.

The Norway-based Global Network for Rights and Development reported that the two Britons — a researcher, Krishna Upadhyaya, 52, and a photographer, Ghimire Gundev, 36 — went missing on Aug. 31 as they were preparing to leave Qatar. The organization suggested that Qatari security services were behind their disappearance and called for their release.

Amnesty International last week urged Qatari authorities to reveal the men’s whereabouts and ensure their safety.

On Saturday, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said in its first comment on the case that the men were arrested and “are being interrogated for having violated the provisions of the laws of the state of Qatar,” according to a statement carried by the official Qatar News Agency.