PREPAK calls for peace, progress
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 16 2011:
On the occasion of the International Justice Day which falls on July 17, the proscribed PREPAK has prayed that the day may bring justice, peace and prosperity to all mankind.
It also called upon the people of Manipur (Kangleipak) to strive collectively for establishing a popular and fair political system so that peace and prosperity reign in the society, free from all kinds of crime against humanity, war crimes, genocide, crimes of aggression, murder and harassment.
Recalling the historic events of Nuremberg and Tokyo trials, the outfit asserted that though these trials were seen as imposition of the victors' will over the vanquished, it sowed the seeds for a neutral International Criminal Court for delivering justice to people across the planet.
Even as the Nuremberg trial was known for its one-sided trial and judgements, it served as the first step to exterminate all those enjoying immunity, the outfit stated in a press release issued by its assistant secretary, publicity and propaganda Leibakngakpa Luwang.
Guided by these events and concerns, the UN Security Council in accordance with its Resolution Nos 808 and 827 constituted the Criminal Tribunal of former Yugoslavia in 1993 followed by the International Criminal Tribunal of Rwanda .
Subsequently the two tribunals started conducting trials of all those who committed war crimes during armed conflicts in the two countries.
Later, the International Criminal Court was set up at Hague, Netherlands on July 1, 2002 in accordance with the Rome Statute of July 17, 1998 .
Now 139 countries are signatories of the statute while 10 countries have already ratified it.
Since then people across the world have been observing July 17 as International Justice Day.
Some high profile leaders have been tried and penalised by the tribunals of Yugoslavia and Rwanda on the charge of committing war crimes and genocide.
For instance, former Rwanda Prime Minister Jean Kambanda has been sentenced to life imprisonment for committing genocide.
Former Yugoslavia President Slobodan Milosevic has also been arrested for trial on the charge killing thousands of ethnic Albanians.
In its first case, the ICC in 2009 arrested and tried Congo National Liberation leader Thomas Lubanga Dyilo for committing war crimes and forcing under-aged children to join his war.
In the same line, it is certain one day or other, Indian leaders and their proxies in Manipur would be standing on the deck of ICC or a tribunal set up by the United Nations Security Council for allegedly committing genocide, war crimes, rape, forced disappearance etc in Manipur.
It also certain that they would get punishment not lighter than life imprisonment, PREPAK asserted.
On the occasion of the International Justice Day, the outfit further called upon the people to expose before the whole world crimes being committed by Indian armed forces and their agents in Manipur for the last many years.