Consultation on 'Advancing rights of Human Rights Defenders in Manipur'

29th August, 2018

Chairperson - Manipur HR Commission sharing at HRD convention on 29 August 2018 at Manipur Press Club

The Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur, Citizens Concern for Dams and Development, Committee on the Protection of Natural Resources in Manipur organized a consultation on “Advancing rights of Human Rights Defenders in Manipur” at Manipur Press Club, Imphal on 29th August.

Senior Advocate Khaidem Mani was felicitated in the convention on his appointment as Chairperson of revived Manipur Human Rights Commission. Mr. Babloo Loitongbam, Director, Human Rights Alert, Ms. Aram Pamei, Co-Chairperson, Citizens Concern for Dams and Development deliberated as resource persons. Khaidem Mani shared that revived Manipur Human Rights commission will endeavor to examine the controversial emergency laws like the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 for appropriate recommendations, in addition to take steps to promote the rights of human rights defenders and to address the aggravating multifaceted human rights violations in Manipur.

Director HRA, Babloo sharing at HRD convention on 29 August 2018 at Manipur Press Club

The participants of the Convention resolved that the Government of Manipur should recognize the role of human rights defenders in conflict afflicted Manipur towards fostering democratic practices and culture of rights and to allow their legitimate human rights work without fear of harassment, torture and deprivation of their right to life.

The convention expressed concern with the arbitrary summon of Mr. Jiten Yumnam, a human rights defender on 13 August 2018 by Manipur police commandoes at Imphal West Commando complex, without any written order and reason and urged the Government of Manipur to stop all forms of intimidation, false charges, harassment, arbitrary detention, torture etc including to Mr. Yumnam and other defenders like Sadokpam Ranjeeta of Human Rights Alert and Mr. Ngouba of Committee on Human Rights and to ensure their safety and protection.

Khaidem Mani, Chairperson, Manipur HR Commission sharing at HRD convention on 29 August 2018 at Manipur Press Club

The Convention also welcomed the revival of the Manipur Human Rights Commission and urged the Commission to take appropriate steps to advance the rights of human rights defenders of Manipur and also further to implement the direction of National Human Rights Commission of India to uphold the rights, safety and protection of all human rights defenders of Manipur and across India.

The convention also urged the Government to repeal all emergency laws in Manipur, viz, the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958, Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 1967, National Security Act, 1980 etc that are employed to target Human Rights Defenders in Manipur and beyond. The meet called for the implementation of the recommendations of Ms. Margarett Saggakya, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders during her visit to India in January 2011 to protect the rights of all Human Rights Defenders in Manipur and across India.

Ms. Aram Pamei Co-Chairperson CCDD sharing at HRD convention on 29 August 2018 at Manipur Press Club

The resolution also called for an end to all forms of torture, ill treatment, intimidation, harassment, degrading treatment and filing false charges against human rights defenders and also to uphold the UN Convention against Torture and the DK Basu Judgement against arbitrary summon, illegal arrest and torture of innocent people in 1996. The resolution also called the Government of Manipur to establish a policy for the protection of human rights defenders of Manipur in accordance with the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, 1998.

Ms. Ranjeeta sharing testimony during HRD convention on 29 August 2018 at Manipur Press Club

Ms. Aram Pamei
on behalf of
Co-Chairperson, Citizens Concern for Dams and Development
Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur
Committee on Protection of Natural Resources in Manipur