NEW DELHI — A charity founded by Mother Teresa said yesterday disabled children at one of its homes in India were restrained for their own safety, after a British television reporter filmed children tied to their beds.

Britain's Five News, in a programme to be broadcast today, said it had uncovered "serious shortcomings" at a care centre run by the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta. It secretly filmed many of the 59 children — aged six months to 12 years — living at the Daya Dan shelter tied by their ankles to their cots at night, restrained while being fed and left for up to 20 minutes on the toilet by their carers.

In a statement, Five News said it began investigating the home after hearing complaints from international aid workers. The global order of nuns said yesterday its charitable homes only tied children when absolutely necessary.

"Physical restraints are used only when absolutely necessary for the safety of the child ... for limited periods of time," a Missionaries of Charity statement faxed to Reuters said. "We value constructive criticism and admit that there is always room for improvement."

01 August 2005
Khaleej Times
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