Dignity “Not Negotiable”: NHRC Issues Warning Over Digital Humiliation

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a stern warning against the “digital humiliation” of detainees, insisting that human dignity is not negotiable even for those suspected of crimes.

In the commission’s latest newsletter published on Monday, 9 February, NHRC Chairperson Satyajit Boolell SC condemned the unfettered circulation of images showing suspects in states of distress on social media.

Mr Boolell reminded the public and authorities alike that under the Mauritian Constitution, the right to privacy and image is a fundamental pillar of human dignity.

Constitutional Protection

The NHRC head highlighted that while technology captures both joy and pain, the law provides clear boundaries.

Sections 9 and 12 of the Constitution protect the right to privacy, noting that freedom of expression can be limited to protect reputations, provided such measures are “reasonably justifiable in a democratic society.”

Citing European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) jurisprudence—specifically the Sciacca v. Italy case—Mr Boolell noted that the unauthorised publication of detainees’ photographs lacks a legal basis and violates essential personality rights.

The commission further extended this principle to victims of crime, demanding that family consent be obtained before crime scene images are shared, unless there is a clear and legal public interest.

Exploitation of Migrant Workers

The report also shines a light on the “vulnerable” status of thousands of foreign workers from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Madagascar, and Africa.

NHRC’s Touria Prayag noted that while these workers are the backbone of Mauritius’s textile, construction, and hospitality sectors, they often face overcrowded living conditions and restricted mobility.

Ms Prayag warned that abuses frequently go unreported due to a fear of deportation or retaliation.

“How a country treats its most vulnerable workers offers a discreet but revealing glimpse into the strength of its democracy,” she stated, calling for immigrants to be recognised as people deserving equal dignity.

Rising Tide of Xenophobia

Addressing a more recent social flashpoint, contributor Vijay Ramanjooloo addressed the surge of xenophobia following the murder of a young Mauritian woman by a Cameroonian suspect in early 2026.

Mr Ramanjooloo criticised the “popular tribunal” of social media, where racist rhetoric and victim-blaming have threatened the presumption of innocence.

He reminded citizens that Mauritius is a nation built on immigration and that Africa remains the “cradle of humanity,” making such intolerance fundamentally contradictory.

The NHRC concluded by urging the public to exercise restraint and allow the formal justice system to function without the interference of virtual mob rule.

Source: Defi Media