CSCHR highlights rights violations to UN SR
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 03 2020:
Presenting a detailed account of the human rights situation of indigenous peoples of Manipur and the North East region, the Civil Society Coalition for Human Rights in Manipur and the UN (CSCHR) has urged the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples to insert certain points in her forthcoming Asia report.
A lengthy memorandum submitted by CSCHR urged the Special Rapporteur to recommend prompt action to prevent ethnocide of the indigenous people of Manipur and North East India.
It also sought recognition of the existence of indigenous peoples in this part of Asia and effective implementation of UNDRIP, including their right to self-determination.
Enforcement of the principle of free, prior and informed consent of indigenous peoples before introducing any development processes affecting their land, territory and resources is another recommendation sought by the conglomeration of human rights organisations and other civil society groups based in Manipur.
It further urged the UN Special Rapporteur to recommend implementation of the relevant recommendations of the various UN Human Rights procedures including UPR, treaty bodies, special procedures etc.
Even though Manipur constitutes just 0.2 per cent of the total population of India, the State constituted a whopping 65 per cent of the total detentions under the UAPA, said the memorandum.
In February 2019, a young Manipuri student leader Veewon Thokchom studying in Delhi, who posted in his personal Facebook account photos of the heavy handed police crackdown on the popular anti-Citizenship Amendment Bill movement with a comment "self-determination is the only option left" was arrested by a combined team of Manipur Police and Delhi Police.
He was charged with sedition and taken back to Manipur for trial.
Human rights defender and prominent peasant leader Akhil Gogoi of Assam and his five comrades namely; Dhaijya Konwar, Srinkhal Chaliha, Amrit Dutta, Jiten Dutta and Bitu Sonowal were arrested in Assam on December 12, 2019 under the UAPA for their protest against CAA.
The same day, RK Echanthoibi was arrested for posting a statement on Facebook supporting the recently established Government-in-exile of Manipur in London, the memorandum recounted.
CPI Manipur State General Secretary L Sotinkumar was arrested on December 20.Seram Herajit of Assam Indigenous Protection Committee was arrested in Silchar on December 27.They are all currently arbitrarily detained on criminal charges.
Santa Khurai (transwoman) was threatened by Manipur Police personnel for her critical comment against Government policies, it mentioned and added that harassment and intimidation of indigenous human rights defenders continue unabated in the State.
Apart from CSCHR co-convenor Phulindro Konsam, the signatories of the memorandum included HRA executive director Babloo Loitongbam, HRDM chairman Joy Chingakham, COHR vice-president H Chandradhon, Reachout lead coordinator Kshetrimayum Onil, Just Peace Foundation managing trustee Khangembam Anandi, EEVFAM president Renu Takhellambam and AMNA Santa Khurai.