Reclaiming Civic Space in Asia : Panel discussion
- 27th June 2023, Geneva : FORUM-ASIA -
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Babloo Loitongbam speaking at panel discussion on the issue of "Reclaiming Civic Space in Asia"
Asian Forum For Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) organized a panel discussion on the issue of "Reclaiming Civic Space in Asia" on the side line of the ongoing 53rd Session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva on Tuesday, 27th June. Prominent human right activist of Manipur, Mr. Babloo Loitongbam was invited to speak on the situation in India with particular reference to the present crisis in Manipur.
Speaking in the panel, Babloo presented the Manipur situation at three levels:
1. Conflicts among the ethnic communities of Manipur
2. The rising right wing politics in India where the organically evolved civil society is being subdued
3. The geo-politics of the region including the civil war in Myanmar and the ethno- nationalist mobilization of Chin Kuki Mizo as well as the clandestine narcotic economy
Human rights activists from FORUM-ASIA, Thailand, Myanmar also spoke in the panel discussion. The UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom Of Association and Of Assembly also presented a gist of his report to be presented in the HRC.
The event was attended by about 60 participants, including almost all the Geneva based human rights organizations. Representatives of the about ten key governments were also present in the meeting.
Three representatives of the European Manipuri Association (EMA) also attended the event and actively participated in the question and answer session towards the end. EMA sends their gratitude to Babloo for powerfully presenting the Manipur case in the world body and for making EMA members’ attendance possible on a short notice.
We in EMA hope that the panel discussion would have some positive result in alleviating the humanitarian crisis in Manipur.
Sagolsem Biramani
Chairperson
European Manipuri Association
* This info was provided by European Manipuri Association and can be contacted at info(AT)ema-europe(DOT)org
This article was posted on July 01 2023 and updated with photos on July 02.
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