Amnesty International calls for action against solitary confinement of 26/11 accused

By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,

Mumbai: Amnesty International, a global Human Rights Watchdog has criticized solitary confinement of Zabiuddin Ansari, a 26/11 terror attack case accused by Mumbai Central Prison and has called for action to end it.


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Ansari, 35 is lodged in Mumbai Central Prison under solitary confinement since last 33 months and after finding no relief from various courts he has gone on hunger strike from August 5, 2015.

Zabiuddin Ansari, with his face covered, leaves from a hospital in New Delhi June 29, 2012. Photo courtesy: Reuters

Providing details of Maharashtra Chief Minister and Superintendent of Mumbai Central Prison Amnesty has called on people to write against inhuman solitary confinement of Ansari.

The release from Amnesty asks to write in English or any other language urging the authorities to end Zabiuddin Ansari’s solitary confinement and ensure he is not subjected to torture or other ill-treatment. It has also suggested calling government machinery to ensure that Ansari receives medical attention he may require and has access to an independent doctor of his choice.

The revised UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners state that solitary confinement for over 15 consecutive days, amounts to prolonged confinement and should be prohibited.

“The UN Special Rapporteur on Torture has said that prolonged solitary confinement can cause severe mental pain or suffering, and can amount to torture or other ill-treatment. India’s Supreme Court has ruled that solitary confinement can violate the right to life and personal liberty recognized by the Constitution”, Amnesty says in a statement released on its website.

Related:

If I die on hunger strike book jail authority for provoking me to commit suicide: 26/11 accused writes to court

Jail agrees there is no rule for solitary confinement but still put Zabiuddin in it for 33 months

A torture tale of 26/11 accused: 33 months solitary confinement, trial in absence and now hunger strike

Maharashtra Governor petitioned to move 26/11 accused Zabiuddin Ansari out of solitary confinement

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