Statement from National Platform for the Rights of the Disabled (NPRD) Over Police Raids on the NewsClick

October 4, 2023

Press Statement

The National Platform for the Rights of the Disabled (NPRD) strongly condemns the attack on independent media outlet the NewsClick.

The news portal has been consistently championing the cause of the marginalised sections including disabled people. In this people-centric approach, the portal has been consistently carrying reports and articles on various struggles and issues of the disabled community and sought to lend a voice to their issues.

One of the two detained and remanded to police custody is Mr. Amit Chakravarthi, a polio survivor and person with disability, who uses crutches. As a person with disability, he has a right to be protected from inhuman treatment and torture.

Article 25 of the United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) affirms that the State shall “Prevent discriminatory denial of health care or health services or food and fluids on the basis of disability.” The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 under Section 6 provides for “Protection from cruelty and inhuman treatment”. In addition to the legislation and convention on disability the right to protection from torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and the right to be treated with humanity and respect for inherent dignity for those lawfully deprived of their liberty is specified under Articles 7 & 10 of International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

The NPRD demands that all reasonable accommodations should be provided to Amit Chakravarti while he is in custody. Untill his release he should be lodged in a facilities that takes care of his accessibility needs. His other needs as a disabled person should be complied with, including but not restricted to health concerns.

Muralidharan
General Secretary