Mass rally cum public meeting held against India-EU FTA
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Chingakham Mangolchand
Imphal, August 06 2011:
A mass protest rally against the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement was carried out today at Moreh.
The rally was participated by more than 500 people including students, women organizations, community organizations and the business community.
The rally started from Galngam Lentol Public Ground covering Chengjapao Road via Moreh bus parking, Moreh market and concluded at Ima Kondong Lairembi Haraobung.
It was organized by HTC and MCM.
Surinder Singh Patheja, secretary, Border Trade & Commerce Moreh flagged off the rally.
A public meeting was held at the Kondong Lairembi Haraobung.
General Secretary Tamil Sangam Moreh Rabichandra, General Secretary Border Trade & Commerce Moreh Surinder Singh, President Kuki Women's Union and Human Rights Chinmeivah Haokip, Consultant, Centre for Social Development (CSD) Homen Thangjam and General Secretary Meetei Council Moreh N Inaocha attended the public meeting as presidium members.
The public meeting deliberated on the demerits and possible negative impact on the lives of the people following the application of India-EU FTA.
At the end of the public meeting the organizing committee submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister of India and a copy was forwarded to the leader of opposition party leader in the Parliament.
The charter of demands in the memorandum sought a debate on the India-Euro FTA in the Parliament at the earliest and that India-EU should seek free, fair and prior consent of the people of the region as endorsed by the UN in its ILO Convention 107, UN Declaration on Human Rights of the indigenous people and others before taking up any trade agreement related to land, mountain, forest, water, etc.
which are traditionally owned by the indigenous people.
The charter of demands also sought for the clarification on the link between trade and non trade issues such as political conflict and human rights issues as violation of human rights in the region is grave.
Placards such as "free trade: nothing free about it," India-EU FTA: trading away our lives," "our lives are not on sale," "people before profit," FTA: a threat to peoples' freedom," "we demand free, fair and prior informed consent," etc.
were displayed at the mass rally.