Consultation meet held at Chandel
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 14 2014 :
The International Criminal Court will initiate trial one day if security forces and armed groups resort to human rights violation, said U Nobokishore.
This was stated by the human rights activist while speaking in a consultation meet organised at Chamdil Khubul in Chandel district today.
North East Dialogue Forum, People's Development Organisation, Chandel, Vigilance Development Forum, Chandel and Chakpi River Protection and Development Society organised the consultation meet held on the topic, 'United Nations Law of Armed Conflict and Armed Forces Special Powers Act' .
Centre for Social Development secretary U Nobokishore said that insurgent groups and security forces must follow International humanitarian laws and respect Common Article 3 of the Geneva Convention.
He alleged that security forces killed many persons without conducting any trial in the State.
In fact, security forces are carrying out genocide under the cover of AFSPA in the State, he alleged.
Even if the Government of India has failed to award punishment to the culprits of these killings, it must be kept in mind that the International Criminal Court would conduct hearing and trial one day, he added.
India ICC would also investigate into such human rights violation, Nobokishore added.
The human rights activist further said that around half of the police personnel of the Manipur Police Department would be affected if the Supreme Court takes up trial in 1528 cases mentioned in the PIL petitioned to the apex Court regarding fake encounters.
Saying that trials could be initiated against any human rights violation by insurgent groups by ICC India, Nobokishore said that they must always respect the rights of the women and children.
Women Action Development secretary Sobita Mangsatabam said that the organisation had submitted a memorandum to UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women regarding 24 rape cases committed by security forces in the State.
She said that nobody has ever surveyed the actual number of rape cases occurred in Manipur.
No action has been initiated yet against the security personnel who fired several bullets on the private part of Thangjam Manorama in an attempt to wipe out evidence of rape.
Advocate Shivananda pointed out that AFSPA contradicts with the Article 21 of the Constitution of India as the draconian Act permits any non-commissioned officer to apprehend or kill anybody on suspicion.
Saying that AFSPA is inhuman and it must be abolished, Shivananda opined that the matter must be moved to Supreme Court or High Court.
Advocate Basanta spoke on humanatarian law at the consultation meet.
Later, the meet recommended several points to India Government and Political Armed Opposition Organisation.