Protection of Human Rights Defenders : A State Level meet
28th February 2018
State Level meet on the Protection of Human Rights Defenders at the Manipur Press Club on 28th February 2018
YOUTH FORUM FOR PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN MANIPUR
CENTRE FOR RESEARCH AND ADVOCACY, MANIPUR
HUMAN RIGHTS INITIATIVE
The Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur, the Human Rights Initiative and the Youth Forum for Protection of Human Rights in Manipur organized a State Level meet on the Protection of Human Rights Defenders at the Manipur Press Club on 28th February 2018.
Mr. U Nobokishore, Secretary of the Centre for Social Development (CSD) shared that Human Rights defenders are increasingly targeted for striving for their human rights, for striving to repeal emergency, draconian laws, like the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958. Mr. Nobo shared human rights defenders and their organizations are threated and restriction imposed on organization for highlighting human rights violations in Manipur.
He said the Government of India; through its law enforcing agencies, armed forces and the intelligence units unleashed series of threats and intimidates, including himself and his organization. He said from 10th January 2018, surveillance of the official premise and functioning of the CSD by security forces, both in combat and civil dress, commenced. The threats is carried out to other executive members of the organization and cited that on 2nd and 4th August 2017, two person who identified themselves as members of the Central Reserve Policy Force (CRPF) came to the President of the organization, seeking details of the work of the organization. The CRPF personnel refused to divulge their name. Targeting HRD is intended to halt or stop the human rights work.
Mr. Yambem Laba, Ex-Member, Manipur Human Rights Commission shared that Manipur experienced human rights violations due to the application of the Armed Forces special Powers Act, 1958. The Manipur Human Rights Commission should be activated to promote human rights in Manipur.
Ph. Deban Sharma, President, All Manipur United Clubs Organization shared that human rights defenders who resisted State Terrorism such as the extra judicial execution of Chungkham Shanjit by Manipur Police commandoes on 23rd July 2009 were arbitrarily arrested and detained under the National Security Act, 1980 and the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 1967. Many were tortured. The Government has failed to repeal the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958. Ahongsangbam Mobi, President, Editors Guild, Manipur emphasized that the role and importance of human rights defenders in an armed conflict afflicted Manipur to end human rights violations and for justice should be recognized.
State Level meet on the Protection of Human Rights Defenders at the Manipur Press Club on 28th February 2018
Ms. Aram Pamei, Convenor, Peace Core Team, Manipur insisted on recognizing indigenous peoples rights to promote the rights over their land and resources. Mr. Pamei Tingenlung, Convenor, Committee on the Protection of Natural Resources in Manipur shared that human rights defenders striving for defense of land and natural resources, especially those standing against oil exploration and mega dam construction are harassed by personnel of Indian Armed Forces. Intelligence departments are now conducting surveillance on human rights defenders promoting indigenous peoples rights.
Mr. Phulindro Konsam, Convenor, Committee on Human Rights shared those Human rights defenders in armed conflict prone state like Manipur, with ongoing armed conflict situation and heavily militarized region are subjected to multiple violations due to promulgation of multiple security laws. The Geneva conventions are blatantly violated in Manipur.
The participants adopted resolutions to recognize the importance and legitimacy of the works of human rights’ defenders and ensure their protection and allow them to continue their legitimate human rights work without fear of harassment, torture and deprivation of their right to life.
The Government should stop targeting all human rights defenders of Manipur to ill treatment, harassment and degrading treatment and torture. Repeal all emergency laws, which impacts on the security of innocent people and human rights defenders of Manipur, especially, the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958, Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 1967 and National Security Act, 1980
The participants also resolved to urge the Government of India to fully implement the recommendations of the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, Ms. Margaret Saggakya during her visit to country visit to India in February 2011.
Establish a policy for the protection of human rights defenders of Manipur with their due consultation in accordance with the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, 1998. The Government of India should ratify all human rights conventions, especially the UN Convention against Torture and its Optional Protocol, and fulfill its international human rights obligations and further to implement the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, 2007.
(Y. Ratan)
President, Human Rights Initiative
(Y. Jiten)
Secretary, CRA, Manipur
(Kh. Phajaton)
President, Youth Forum for Protection of Human Rights in Manipur
* This Press Release was sent to e-pao.net by Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur who can be contacted at cra(DOT)manipur(AT)gmail(DOT)com
This Press Release was posted on March 01 2018
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