AII (Amnesty International India) poll rider
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 26 2014:
Amnesty International India has asked the declared and probable Prime Ministerial candidates of various political parties to clarify their positions on key human rights issues ahead of the parliamentary elections.
"Political parties have sworn to uphold Constitutional values of justice, liberty, equality and dignity.
But their leaders' actions must reflect this pledge.
It is essential for everyone to know where Prime Ministerial candidates stand on important human rights questions," said Shashikumar Velath, Programmes Director at Amnesty International India.
In its "14 for 2014" campaign, the Amnesty International India has asked candidates including Rahul Gandhi, Narendra Modi, Jayalalitha, Mayawati, Mamata Banerjee, Mulayam Singh Yadav, Naveen Patnaik, Nitish Kumar and Arvind Kejriwal, to state their positions on issues including police reforms, marital rape, undertrial detention, impunity for armed forces, land acquisition, decriminalisation of homosexuality and freedom of expression, according to a statement.
The Amnesty International India's '14 for 2014' campaign calls political parties to incorporate 14 key human rights issues in their election manifestos including among others protecting the rights of communities affected by corporate-led projects; ending torture, extrajudicial executions and enforced disappearances; ending arbitrary detention; protecting the rights of all persons in custody; ending the use of death penalty and ensuring justice for marginalised communities and minorities who have suffered abuses.
Amnesty International India has submitted the charter to various political parties, both national and regional.