South Asians for Human Rights (SAHR), a regional network of human rights defenders, deeply mourns the demise of Prof. G. N. Saibaba, a wheelchair bound academic and an activist, on 12 October 2024, due to complications from gallbladder removal surgery. His death occurred 7 months after his release from prison.
Prof. Saibaba, had played a key role in several peoples’ movements such as the pro- reservation protests in 1989-90, democratic rights of prisoners in 1993, movement to support the rights of Adivasis and several other struggles.
On 9 May 2014, Prof. Saibaba was arrested by Maharashtra police, Andhra Pradesh police and the Intelligence Bureau in a case pertaining to ties with Maoist organisations. He was lodged in the Nagpur Central Jail which did not have any facilities to cater to a wheelchair bound inmate since his arrest. In March 2017, a Sessions Court in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra, convicted Prof. Saibaba and five other accused for indulging in activities amounting to waging war against the nation besides violations under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). On 5 March 2024, the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court acquitted Prof. Saibaba and five others on the basis that the prosecution could not prove the case against them beyond reasonable doubt. His life imprisonment was also set aside by the court thus freeing him after 10 years of imprisonment.
SAHR believes that Prof. Saibaba was the latest victim of the Government of India’s inhumane treatment of prisoners and the brutal repression of human rights defenders. This is akin to the ruthless manner in which Rev. Stan Sami was treated, causing his death in July 2021. SAHR learns that Prof. Saibaba had complained about the inhumane treatment he underwent in the Nagpur Central Jail. In August 2024, he had alleged that he was not provided necessary healthcare for nine months despite the left side of his body being paralysed and he had been only administered painkillers for paralysis at the Nagpur Central jail. He had further alleged that he had been forewarned by the authorities that he would be falsely accused in a case if he did not stop.
It is clear that the actions and omissions of the Government of India have exacerbated the violation of rights and freedoms of the people, especially the human rights defenders. Therefore, SAHR strongly calls upon the government as the state party to the international obligations to safeguard the rights and freedoms of the people as enshrined in the constitution.
SAHR stands in solidarity with the human rights defenders of India who are fully engaged in activism despite the numerous challenges and threats against their life and the safety of family. SAHR condemns the government’s repression of activists from defending human rights. The right to defend human rights is the fundamental basis of a functioning democracy. SAHR demands that the authorities ensure the non-recurrence of such inhumane discrimination towards human rights defenders.
On behalf of the member of the South Asians for Human Rights
Dr. P. Saravanamuttu
Bureau Member
Sushil Pyakurel
Bureau Member