Consultative meet held
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 27 2014 : United NGOs Mission, Manipur, Human Rights Initiative, Centre for Research and Advocacy Manipur and Human Rights Law Network jointly organised a one-day convention on protection of human rights for human rights defenders at Manipur Press Club today.

The convention was organized on the backdrop of increasing cases of attacks on human rights defenders of Manipur, the latest being the attacks on Advocate Laimayum Shivananda, Committee on Human Rights chairperson Phulindro Konsam, UNMM secretary U Nobokishore and victim of Lamphelpat Yaipha Lekai eviction, Maibam Nganbileima.

Shivananda was allegedly assaulted by two persons who identified themselves as police commandos at around 6.30 pm on June 13 near Bheigya Hotel.

The duo threatened the Advocate by dropping a grenade near him and he was hit in the head with the butt of pistol.

The convention demanded the Government to ensure protection of all human rights defenders who are striving for the protection and realization of human rights and fundamental freedom at all levels.

The convention further adopted to form an Adhoc Committee to provide a platform for protection, safety and security of human rights defenders of Manipur.

It also pressed the authority concerned to investigate and punish those involved in the torture, arbitrary detention and killing of all human rights defenders of Manipur, especially punish those personnel of State force who were involved in the assault of Paojel Chaoba of Imphal Free Press.

Urging the Government to repeal all emergency laws including the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958, the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 1967 and the National Security Act, 1980 and other legislations that facilitate violations of human rights in Manipur, the convention also demanded that recommendations of the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, Margaret Sagakya be implemented fully.

The convention also demanded unconditional release of Irom Sharmila, repeal of AFSPA, review Indian Police Act, ensure full functioning of the Manipur Human Rights Commission, setting up of special cell for protection of human rights defenders, ensure that all security forces in Manipur strictly adhere to recommendations of Supreme Court judgement of 1997 in hearing of AFSPA, 1958 especially to identify themselves in their operations, establish legislations for the protection of human rights defenders of Manipur with their due consultation in accordance with the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, 1998, formulate legislations to end all practice of torture as per the UN Convention against Torture.

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