GN Saibaba, a former English professor at Delhi College, was arrested in 2014 and accused of hyperlinks to banned Maoist teams, in keeping with media studies.
He was sentenced to life imprisonment three years later for a number of offences beneath the nation’s Illegal Actions Prevention Act.
‘Shameful’ detention
“GN Saibaba is a long-standing defender of the rights of minorities in India, together with the Dalit and Adivasi individuals,” mentioned Mary Lawlor, UN Particular Rapporteur on the state of affairs of human rights defenders.
“His continued detention is shameful. It bears all of the hallmarks of a State looking for to silence a important voice,” she added.
UN human rights specialists have repeatedly raised grave considerations concerning the prosecution of Mr. Saibaba, who has suffered from a spinal dysfunction and polio since childhood and makes use of a wheelchair.
His detention was declared arbitrary by the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention in an opinion issued in 2021.
Detention and well being considerations
Ms. Lawlor famous that other than two quick durations of being granted bail, he has been held in Nagpur Central Jail since his preliminary arrest and detention. She mentioned his situation in jail is a matter of great concern.
“Mr. Saibaba has been detained in a excessive safety ‘anda barracks’ in situations incompatible along with his standing as a wheelchair person,” she mentioned. “His 8×10 toes cell has no window and one wall fabricated from iron bars, exposing him to excessive climate, particularly within the scorching summer time warmth.”
The rights skilled additionally expressed concern for his well being, which has severely deteriorated in detention, and advocated for his launch.
“States have an obligation to uphold the appropriate to well being of prisoners and detainees and guarantee their dignity as human beings. Jail authorities should be certain that prisoners with disabilities aren’t discriminated in opposition to, together with by making certain accessibility and offering affordable lodging,” mentioned Ms. Lawlor.
About UN Rapporteurs
Particular Rapporteurs are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council to observe and report on particular nation conditions or thematic points.
They serve of their particular person capability and are impartial of any Authorities or group.
These specialists aren’t UN employees and they aren’t paid for his or her work.
