Human Rights Commission Sends Notice to Sports Ministry Over Ill-Treatment of Special Athletes
The special athletes, representing India at the Asia-Pacific Deaf Games, first had to sleep on pavements and then their passports were confiscated.
- Press Trust of India
- Updated: October 19, 2015 09:57 PM IST
The National Human Rights Commission has issued a notice to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, over reports of ill-treatment meted out to deaf and mute players, saying, the incident, if true, indicates "gross violation" of their human rights. (Special Athletes Sleep on Pavement as SAl messes up Accommodation)
The Commission has sent the notice to the ministry through its Secretary, based on a media report that the passports of Indian players, who had gone to participate in Asia-Pacific Deaf Games, were "seized" in China Taipei due to non-payment of hotel bills. (Special Athletes' Passport Confiscated)
"The incident, if true, indicates gross negligence on the part of the Ministry and violation of human rights of the disabled players," the NHRC observed seeking reports within four weeks.
According to the report, carried on October 8, the players also had a difficult time in Delhi when they allegedly spent a night on the footpath outside a Gurudwara while waiting to get visa, as arrangements for their stay could not be made.