Civil bodies demand implementation of UPR recommendations
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, November 22 2022:
Following the review of human rights records of different countries around the world by UN Human Rights Council under the 4th cycle of Universal Periodic Review (UPR) held in Geneva on November 10, civil bodies have demanded effective implementation of the recommendations adopted in the review in the country.
In a joint release, Apunba Manipur Kanba Ima Lup (AMKIL), Arunachal Citizen Rights (ACR), Borok People's Human Rights Organisation (BPHRO), International Peace and Social Advancement (IPSA), Extrajudicial Execution Victim Families Association, Manipur (EEVFAM), Human Rights Alert (HRA), Human Rights Defender, Manipur (HRDM), Human Rights Initiative (HRI), Indigenous Perspective (IP), Manipur Alliance for Child Rights (MACR), Youth Collective Manipur (YCM) and Zo Indigenous Forum (ZIF) informed that during the review, 130 member states made 339 recommendations highlighting some of the most urgent human rights concerns in the country including the protection of minority communities and vulnerable groups, tackling gender-based violence, upholding civil society freedoms, protecting human rights defenders and ending torture in custody.
On behalf of the civil societies of the North East, Babloo Loitongbam of Human Rights Alert (HRA), Khuraijam Athouba of International Peace and Social Advancement (IPSA) and C Lalreruata of Zo Indigenous Forum participated in the review.
The issue of AFSPA was raised by five countries namely Germany, US, Norway, Belgium and Pakistan and some demanded to repeal the Armed Forces Act 1958 and 1990 from the districts where it still remains or in partial enforcement.
In its national report submitted to the UN ahead of the UPR review, the government of India claimed that it is firmly committed to the promotion and protection of human rights, the release recalled while expressing hope that the government would endorse the recommendations and not simply take note of the recommendations.
What actually matters to the citizens is the implementation of human rights on the ground, the joint press release added.