Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 23:
The day long workshop on 'Operating under legal basis and rule of law for both State and non-state actors' held at Manipur Press Club culminated this evening by calling upon the Government and unlawful armed organisations to respect human rights and ensure conflicts between the two do not befall upon the civilians.
The workshop held under the initiative of United NGOs Mission-Manipur (UNM-M) was moderated by Ireibak daily's editor Irengbam Arun with advocate Khaidem Mani, Retired Sessions Judge C Upendra and executive director of Human Rights Alert Babloo Loitongbam addressing the gathering composed of representatives of numerous NGOs operating in the State, meira paibis and members of civil societies.
Khaidem Mani in his speech dwelt at length on 'application of humanitarian law for both State and non-State actors in the arm conflict in the context of Manipur', as C Upendra deliberated on the topic 'Excess conduct and defined rule of law for State actors' while Babloo Loitongbam detailed on the topic 'International criminal Court of Justice'.
An interaction programme on the topics was the other highlight of the seminar at the end of which a three point recommendation was adopted.
The first recommendation pertains to impressing upon the Central and State Governments to ensure right to life as guaranteed by the Constitution of India and adopt procedure of International Criminal Court.
It was followed by a note to leaders/cadres of revolutionary/armed organisation to develop code of conduct to deal with the civilian population so as to shield the people from atrocities and victims of the ongoing conflict.
The armed groups were called to respect and adhere strictly to guidelines of International Humanitarian Law and International Criminal Court.
The third recommendation relates to asking both the State and non-State actors to prevent and protect civilian casualties and exercise maximum restraint by both to ensure minimal bloodshed particularly of the civilian population.
Attention of both entities were drawn to the eventual truth that everybody is liable for prosecution of any wrongdoing under the purview of International Criminal Court.
While acknowledging difficulties besieging both the Government and armed organisations in such prevailing situation, speakers nevertheless prevailing upon all concerned that the society 'we' inhabit is also bound by norms, values and laws of national and international ethos.
While regretting continued suffering of the civilian population caught in the vicious cycle of violence and taking grim note of lack of professionalism on the part of Govt forces for their inability to segregate armed combatants from innocent civilians often leading to colossal loss of the latter, the session also highlighted distress of the people in their futile search for justice.