SW News: The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders is asking the Indian authorities to release an activist who has been imprisoned since 2017 citing grave concern over his deteriorating health.
Activist and former professor of Delhi University N Saibaba was arrested in 2014 after being accused of extremist Leftist Maoist groups. Three years later he was sentenced to life imprisonment under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.
UN Special Rapporteur Mary Lawlor said his continued detention is shameful and it bears all the hallmarks of a state seeking to silence a critical voice. She said that the activist has been a long-time champion of the rights of minorities including the downtrodden Dalits and tribal people in India.
Human Rights activists have repeatedly raised the alarm over the failing health of Saibaba who suffers from a spinal disorder and polio and uses a wheelchair. Lawlor said that Saibaba is detained in an 8 into 10 oval cell with no windows which gets extremely hot during summer.
She said that states have an obligation to uphold the right to health of prisoners and detainees and ensure their dignity as human beings. Prison authorities must ensure that prisoners with disabilities are not discriminated against, including by ensuring accessibility and providing reasonable accommodation.