Protection of Human Rights Defenders : Resolution Adopted

28th February 2018

State Level meet on the Protection of Human Rights Defenders at the Manipur Press Club on 28th February 2018

RESOLUTION ADOPTED AT THE CONVENTION ON PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS IN MANIPUR, 28 FEBRAURY 2018, MANIPUR PRESS CLUB, IMPHAL, MANIPUR ORGANIZED BY CENTRE FOR RESEARCH AND ADVOCACY, MANIPUR, HUMAN RIGHTS INITIATIVE, YOUTH FORUM FOR HUMAN RIGHTS IN MANIPUR

Recalls the role and importance of human rights defenders in an armed conflict afflicted Manipur to end all forms of human rights violations and to seek justice, and further, in fostering respect of democratic values, of culture of rights and in seeking social, economic, environmental, gender, civil and political justice and their contribution in building sustainable peace.

Human rights defenders in Manipur assumes significant role in advancing democratic practice, peace, rule of law and sustainable development under SDGs and also fostering a true development in Manipur.

Expresses concern with the persisting and increasing threats, ill treatment and harassment of human rights defenders of Manipur by State actors and others for their human rights activism, for promotion of right to life, right to land and natural resources, for women's and children's rights etc, in the context of increasing economic liberalization and related development aggressions.

Express concern with the increased conscription of the functioning of human rights organization and other civil societies with the misapplication of the Foreign Contribution and Regulation Act 2010.

Targeting human rights defenders constitute serious human rights violations, under India's national laws, Int'l Human Rights standards and International Humanitarian Laws.

Recall the obligations and directions of National Human Rights Commission of India to uphold the rights, safety and protection of all human rights defenders of Manipur and across India. Further, recall the 1996 DK Basu Judgement against arbitrary summon, illegal arrest and torture of innocent people.

Recall the recommendations of Mr. Margaret Saggakya, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, in her report submitted to the UN Human Rights Council following her visit to India in January 2011 to protect the human rights of all Human Rights Defenders in Manipur and across India.

Expressing concern with the wide misuse of emergency legislations in armed conflict afflicted Manipur, such as the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958, Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 1967, National Security Act, 1980 which are used to target Human Rights Defenders to rights violations.

Expressing concern with the non-functioning of the Manipur Human Rights Commission, due to non-appointment of its members, which hinders in seeking protection and justice for human rights defenders

Recall the UN Declaration on the rights of Human Rights Defenders 1998 and express our concern with the absence of specific policy to protect the human rights of all human rights defenders.

State Level meet on the Protection of Human Rights Defenders at the Manipur Press Club on 28th February 2018

That the Government of Manipur and Government of India should:

o Recognize the importance and legitimacy of the works of human rights defenders and ensure the protection of all human rights defenders of Manipur and allow them to continue their legitimate human rights work without fear of harassment, torture and deprivation of their right to life.

o Stop ill treatment, degrading treatment and torture to all human rights defenders of Manipur.

o Stop the restriction and conscription of Human Rights organizations and civil societies for defending peoples' rights, advocating protection of peoples land and resources

o 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, the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 1967 and the National Security Act, 1980

o Ensure the full functioning of the Manipur Human Rights Commission

o Fully implement the recommendations of the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, Ms. Margaret Saggakya in February 2011 during her country visit to India.

o Establish a policy for the protection of human rights defenders of Manipur with due consultation in accordance with the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, 1998.

o 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.

The participants further resolved to: o

o Apprise all concerned officials of the Government of Manipur and Government of India to protect the human rights of all human rights defenders of Manipur.

o Appraise the officials of UN Human Rights Council and other international human rights organizations to promote and protect the rights of human rights defenders.