GN Saibaba, a former English professor at Delhi University, was arrested in 2014 and accused of hyperlinks to banned Maoist teams, in line with media experiences.

He was sentenced to life imprisonment three years later for a number of offences beneath the nation’s Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.

‘Shameful’ detention

“GN Saibaba is a long-standing defender of the rights of minorities in India, including the Dalit and Adivasi people,” said Mary Lawlor, UN Special Rapporteur on the scenario of human rights defenders.

“His continued detention is shameful. It bears all the hallmarks of a State seeking to silence a critical voice,” she added.

UN human rights specialists have repeatedly raised grave issues in regards to 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 issues 

Ms. Lawlor famous that aside from two brief intervals 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 high security ‘anda barracks’ in conditions incompatible with his status as a wheelchair user,” she mentioned. “His 8×10 feet cell has no window and one wall made of iron bars, exposing him to extreme weather, especially in the scorching summer heat.”

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 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,” mentioned Ms. Lawlor.

About UN Rapporteurs

Special 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 unbiased of any Government or group. 

These specialists should not UN employees and they aren’t paid for his or her work.