July 16, 2021
*The Chairperson* *National Human Rights Commission* Dear Sir, This is to draw your attention to an extremely disturbing news published in the online edition of the Times of India of July 13, 2021 with the heading “Deaf-Mute man taken for Covid shot is sterilized at Uttar Pradesh Hospital”. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/agra/unmarried-deaf-mute-man-goes-to-etah-dist-hosp-for-covid-19-jab-along-with-an-asha-worker-returns-home-sterilized/articleshow/84355308.cms What is underlined in the news report is that the family members of the person were not aware of the vaccination process. In addition, the insistence on registration through the Cowin App has made it out of the reach of a large section of people who have do not have access to smartphones/computers and internet connections as also digital literacy. This made the family vulnerable to the lure held out by the Asha worker who promised to get him vaccinated. Right from the beginning of the pandemic the availability of information in accessible formats for persons with disabilities has been an issue. Even with regard to the vaccination process, information in accessible formats for the disabled including those who are deaf, has been wanting. The incident also points out to the tremendous pressure exerted on Asha workers especially on days like World Population Day to meet specific targets of sterilization, leading to their employing such deceitful and devious methods. It goes without saying that a more informed approach is required. And in this targeted scheme of things, as this incident also underscores, persons with disabilities are often the victims. Both men and women with disabilities are perceived as asexual with no reproductive rights. Beliefs such as eugenics are also very common, which are in contravention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act of 2016, which has equality and non-discrimination as its guiding principles. 1. Since an irreversible procedure has been conducted on the said person, through deception, without his express knowledge and consent, leading to an irreparable damage to his physical and mental self, it is incumbent that he be provided adequate compensation. 2. Asha as also other scheme workers should be given rudimentary training on the rights and concerns of people with disabilities. 3. It should also be ensured that information about vaccination against Covid be made available in accessible formats and they be disseminated widely. 4. And it goes without saying that programmes like sterilization should not be conducted on a target mode and people should be given informed choices. We request the NHRC to issue necessary directions in this regard and any other additional directions over and above these that it may deem necessary, to the concerned authorities. Yours truly *(Muralidharan)* *General Secretary* -- National Platform for the Rights of the Disabled (NPRD) 36, Pt. Ravishankar Shukla Lane New Delhi 110 001 Tel. 11-23387674; 9868768543 -- Disclaimer: 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of the person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the mails sent through this mailing list.. Search for old postings at: http://www.mail-archive.com/accessindia@accessindia.org.in/ --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "AccessIndia" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to accessindia+unsubscr...@accessindia.org.in. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/a/accessindia.org.in/d/msgid/accessindia/CAGWwancDiC97UG2TFGLWxBu54dFbRHeBweJm0QyWPK0xb4-%3DEA%40mail.gmail.com.
