State issues including AFSPA put before UN
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, March 05 2012:
UN Special Rapporteur and Human Rights Defender, Margeret Sekaggya has reportedly presented a report on various issues prevailing in the state of Manipur including that of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), 1958 in the session of the UN Human Rights Council, today.
Addressing media persons at Manipur Press Club here today, Dr Devabratta Roy Laiphungbam, Convener, Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights in Manipur and UN, informed that Margeret Sekaggya was in Guwahati in January last year.
During her four hours visit in Guwahati, she met some of the Human Rights activists and CSOs of Manipur working in the field for protection of Human Rights and justice.
During the said meeting with Margeret Sekaggya, Human Rights activists and representatives of CSOs discussed various issues confronting Manipur in particular and other North Eastern States of India in general.
A memorandum was also submitted to her highlighting human rights scenario in Manipur and prolonged imposition of AFSPA, Dr Devabratta recalled.
After carefully looking into the issues highlighted in the memorandum and the discussion held, Margeret Sekaggya presented a report in the session of the UN Human Rights Council today, he said.
Apart from pressing for recommendation to repeal AFSPA, the report also dwelled at length over cases of Sharmila Chanu, who has been fasting for over 11 years now demanding repeal of APFSA, arrest and torture of Human Rights Activists in Manipur, arrest of the Editor of Sanaleibak newspaper and killing of journalists in the state during the last decade.
Yambem Laba, ex-member of Manipur Human Rights Commission was also present during the press conference.