Jiten Yumnam, CRAM at UN Permanent Forum on Indegenous Issues at New York
May 18, 2016:
Mr. Jiten Yumnam, secretary of the Centre for Research and Advocacy,
Manipur and a member of the Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights in
Manipur and the United Nations, attended the Fifteenth session of the
UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (PFII) held at the UN
Headquarters in New York from 9 till 20th May 2016.
Mr. Yumnam
intervened on two agenda items of PFII, Agenda Item 4 that deals with
implementation of Six thematic areas of the PFII and also on Agenda
Item 5, Interactive Dialogue on “Indigenous Peoples: Conflict, Peace
and Resolution”. Mr. Yumnam also made submissions on Agenda 3, i.e,
implementation of outcome of World Conference on Indigenous Peoples.
Mr. Yumnam speaking during the PFII shared how Manipur continues to be
afflicted with an armed conflict with ongoing movement for their
political rights and how the Government of India continues to adopt
military responses and enactment of special emergency legislations
such as the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 (AFSPA).
He
explained how AFSPA has long been controversial for its extra ordinary
powers conferred to the armed forces of India and the violations
unleashed under the act on indigenous communities of Manipur.
Recalling how several UN Human Rights officials have already
recommended repeal of AFSPA, 1958 for its longstanding violation of
indigenous peoples’ rights, he urged upon the UN PFII to urge upon the
Government of India to repeal AFSPA, 1958.
Mr. Yumnam also shared the pattern of corporatization and
expropriation of indigenous peoples land and natural resources in
Manipur, without respecting their self- determination. The targeting
of peoples land and resources both by the State and corporate bodies
for pursuance of mega dams, oil exploration and mining and other
infrastructure projects with tacit facilitation of international
financial institutions, viz, Asian Development Bank, the World Bank
etc will worsen human rights and survival challenges of indigenous
peoples.
The ongoing efforts to complete Mapithel dam by blocking the
Thoubal River, the proposed move to construct the 1500 MW Tipaimukh
dam, the signing of four MoUs on 28 August 2014 between Government and
the North East Electric Power Corporation for the construction of four
mega dams over Barak River without affected peoples consent is an
effort to undermine indigenous peoples' self-determined development
over their land.
The Government also granted license to Jubilant Oil
and Gas Private Limited, for exploration and drilling works in two
oil blocks in Manipur without peoples’ consent. Polices such as North
East India Hydrocarbon vision, 2030 and Manipur hydro power policy,
2012 are framed to undermine peoples' rights over their land and
resources.
Mr. Yumnam also shared how the infusion of non-indigenous population
in indigenous territories has also led to land alienation,
marginalization of indigenous communities and multifaceted conflicts.
The Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur and the CSO coalition on
Human Rights in Manipur and UN urged upon the Government of India to
respect and recognize indigenous peoples’ self-determination and self-determined rights of indigenous peoples over their land and resources
and to stop all unsustainable development process pursued in Manipur.
He also urged the Government of India to undertake a comprehensive conflict resolution process inclusive of inter and intra communities
in Manipur and in North East India, based on recognition of their human rights. He further urged to end militarization and to stop the
infusion of non- indigenous population in Manipur without their consent.
Sanaton Laishram
President
CENTRE FOR RESEARCH AND ADVOCACY, MANIPUR (CRAM)
Sega Road Hodam Leirak, Imphal, Manipur - 795001, India
Website: www.cramanipur.org Skype ID: cra.manipur
Tele: + 91 – 385 - 244 4478
* This Press Relese was sent to e-pao.net by Centre For Research And Advocacy, Manipur (CRAM) who can be contacted at cra(DOT)manipur(AT)gmail(DOT)com
This Press Release was posted on May 19 2016
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