'Recommendation for APFSA repeal a success for rights activists'
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, April 30 2014:
Hailing United Nations Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences (UNSRVAW) Rashida Manjoo for recommending the repeal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in the General Assembly of United Nations, the Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights in Manipur has said that the recommendation would surely have a positive impact on the Indian Government in repealing the draconian military law from the country.
Talking to media persons here today, Spokesperson of Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights in Manipur Phunindro Konsam said that India, being a member state of United Nations, would surely comply with the recommendations of the Special Rapporteur.
Rashida's recommendation for repeal of AFSPA is indeed a success for human rights activists of the State.
In the final report of her (Rashida) visit to India (Mission to India) from April 22 to May 1, 2013, she examined different types of violence against women in the country, including root causes and consequences, and the implications of such violence on the effective exercise of human rights by women, he said.
Rashida has also recommended repeal of section 377 of the Penal Code, which criminalizes consensual same-sex behaviour; review the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 that de facto criminalizes sex work and ensure that measures to address trafficking in persons do not overshadow the need for effective measures to protect the human rights of sex workers and to repeal, as a matter of urgency; adopt the Communal Violence (Prevention, Control and Rehabilitation of Victims) Bill, 2005 and ensure that the Bill incorporates the recommendations of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women in that regard, Phunindro added.