The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief Swati
Maliwal,(pictured) came across gross violation of human
rights during a surprise visit to a government-run 'beggar
home' here and found over 15 foreign nationals, including a
pregnant Nigerian woman and her two children, lodged there
amid pathetic living conditions.
The DCW said it found violation of human rights of several
inmates. After she spent a night at the beggar home at Nirmal
Chaya Complex in Janakpuri on Tuesday, January 3, the DCW
chief has now issued notices to the Social Welfare
Department and Foreigner Regional Registration Office
(FRRO) -- a government agency responsible for regulating the
extended stay and movement of foreigners in India. Maliwal
sought a reply from the FRRO and Social Welfare Department
within 72 hours.
"Fifteen women and two children - all foreign nationals --
housed in the home... The DCW Chairperson met an Uzbek
national who complained of molestation by FRRO officials," a
DCW statement said.
Maliwal found that the Nigerian woman, whose two children
were also lodged along with her at the beggar home since
December 26, had complained for the past 10 days to the
staff that she was no longer feeling any movement in her
womb but to no avail.
"She alleged no action was taken to help her. She said she
begged the staff to allow her to call her doctor but she was
denied the same," the statement said.
The foreign nationals were detained for overstaying in India
for different reasons. Women inmates, who said they were
wearing the same clothes for days, complained to Maliwal
that they were not allowed to make phone calls to their
families or embassies due to which they have not been able
to contact anyone for legal or financial assistance.
The women were worried since their families had no idea
where they were. The DCW chief found that only two of the
five toilets at the beggar home were fit for use. One toilet was
marked 'HIV', which no one used due to fear of contracting
the disease whereas one was locked for use by staff.
Maliwal has since written to the beggar home superintendent
to ensure proper medical treatment for the pregnant Nigerian
woman and another from Kenya.
"The commission Chairperson was shocked to learn from the
inmates that their private parts are physically checked by the
caretaker before they are allowed entry into the home. When
asked, the caretaker on duty admitted to the same in front of
inmates," the DCW statement said.
A Kenyan national said she was taken six times to a doctor in
the complex but he did not conduct any test and her medical
problem is persisting.
