Fridae

Hyderabad Central Prison has told India’s National Human Rights Commission that it has established a separate gender-neutral cell for people with diverse gender identities and expressions.

In a 5 November statement, the NHRC said the prison superintendent had reported implementing the recommendation. People housed in the cell are also allowed clothing that affirms their gender.

The changes followed an 8 October visit by the commission’s special monitor for transgender people and LGBTQ+ rights. The visit focused on implementing existing NHRC and Home Ministry advice on transgender prisoners’ welfare.

The statement does not give the cell’s opening date or capacity, or explain how prisoners are assigned to it.