A/HRC/16/53/Add.1 167. On 28 January 2010, the Government of India rejected the applications made on behalf of the MFI detainees for political asylum and subsequently all criminal charges against them were reportedly withdrawn. The MFI members continue to be held in custody, pending a decision by the courts on whether their deportation to Pakistan would be lawful. 168. In Central Jail Tihar, the MFI members are detained in unsanitary and overcrowded facilities which have reportedly resulted in communicable diseases. If MFI detainees are sick they are scarcely referred to an external hospital and the prison authorities make them clean drainage lines with their bare hands. 169. Mr. Iqbal Shahi suffers from fits and there is neither medical care in the prison nor is he referred to outside physicians. Mr. Iqbal Shahi has been diagnosed with a tumor in his brain; however, reportedly no medical help is forthcoming. 170. Mr. Muhammad Ashfaque is diabetic and suffers from an illness affecting his backbone. The prison staff only gave him Metaformin tablets and his sugar level is getting higher. When Mr. Muhammad Ashfaque raised this issue with the prison staff he was reportedly told that “medication is very expensive outside and we cannot afford it, nor can we refer you to an outside hospital”. 171. Mr. Abdul Waheed underwent heart bypass surgery before his arrest and is still suffering from acute heart-related illnesses and blood pressure. Reportedly, he is not getting proper medical treatment but only receives pain-killers. The prison authorities asked Mr. Abdul Waheed to take care of his medical needs at his own expense from outside. 172. Mr. Abdul Rashid is diabetic, but the prison authorities did not allow him to visit an Outpatient Department. Due to high diabetic condition his eyesight deteriorated and he has blurred vision. 173. Ms. Kulsoom Khan suffered from fever in May 2007. The prison authorities gave her medication that did not help and the prison staff allegedly beat her. Ms. Kulsoom Khan was then sent to Deen Dayal Hospital where some liquid was withdrawn from her spine which generated pain in her lower spine. In Deen Dayal Hospital, Ms. Kulsoom Khan was reportedly given electric shocks once or twice daily. She was tied to the bed with ropes and would be unconscious for hours. Upon her return to Central Jail Tihar she was weak but she was reportedly refused to special diet including milk, egg, cheese and fruit. Ms. Kulsoom Khan developed anemia, however, she did not receive medication nor proper medical care. 174. Currently, eleven MFI children remain in detention in Central Jail Tihar (Farah Naz Gohar, Sana Riaz, Shahzaib, Hassan AlGohar, Asad Gohar, Zill-e-Gohar, Mary Gohar, Abhaya Gohar, Aamir Gohar, Tabassum Gohar and Abasah Gohar). However, the prison authorities do not have the required medication for children and the detained children are given adults’ medication instead. Thus the two-year-old Ms. Abasah Gohar was given full antibiotics over 15 days and subsequently developed gastric problems. 175. The Special Rapporteurs drew the attention of the Government to the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (approved by the Economic and Social Council by resolutions 663 C (XXIV) of 31 July 1957 and 2076 (LXII) of 13 May 1977). Rule 22 (2) provides that “[s]ick prisoners who require specialist treatment shall be transferred to specialized institutions or to civil hospitals. Where hospital facilities are provided in an institution, their equipment, furnishings and pharmaceutical supplies shall be proper for the medical care and treatment of sick prisoners, and there shall be a staff of suitable trained officers.” Furthermore, rule 25 (1) provides that “[t]he medical officer shall have the care of the physical and mental health of the prisoners and should daily see all sick prisoners, all who complain of illness, and any prisoner to whom his attention is specially directed.” The Special Rapporteurs requested the Government to provide the details, and 36