International Human Rights Day Solemnly Observed
AFSPA lampooned, sufferings of people highlighted
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 10 2012: Accusing elected representatives of alleged failure to protect human rights and strong criticism against continued imposition of the draconian Armed Forces Special Powers Act 1958 (AFSPA-1958) marked the observance of International Human Rights Day at different parts of the State today.

Under the initiatives of numerous civil society organisations and NGOs seminars/workshops were also conducted as part of the observance.

At Manipur Press Club, the observance hosted by Committee on Human Rights (COHR), Manipur was attended by Irabot Foundation president Th Iboyaima and COHR president Phulindro Konsam as the chief guest and functional president respectively while Poirei Leimarol Apunba Meira Paibi president L Memchoubi and AMUCO president KT Rahman were the guests of honour.

Anti-AFSPA crusader Sharmila

With reference to the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights in its December 10, 1948 assembly session at Paris consequent to which the global observance is being held every year, Phulindro said the declaration clearly defines right of every citizen to live with dignity.

While genesis of the Universal Declaration was various mass uprisings centuries earlier in European countries and the United States of America, he said the United Nations adopted the declaration to reaffirm aspiration of the global communities' aspiration for freedom from all forms of suppression and repressive regimes.

According to KT Rahman observance of International Human Rights Day for the past many years has failed to instill confidence in the masses of Manipur as they continue to endure severe hardships consequent to rampant violation of human rights.

Continuous loss of civilian lives at the hands of security forces is an indication that aspiration of the common people for secured environment is still a distant dream, said the AMUCO chief and pointed to the recent outburst by the Supreme Court judges against the Government of Manipur on extra-judicial killings as the culmination of decades of atrocities committed by the security forces.

Apart from killing of civilians by security forces under controversial circumstances, whereabouts of many individuals remaining unknown after arrest by security force personnel and even rape of women are grim reminder that the United Nations' declaration is irrelevant in Manipur, he asserted.

In a similar vein, Th Iboyaima in his address cited imposition of AFSPA in Manipur as the chief factor for the people continuing to suffer ceaselessly.

Lashing out at the Government for its alleged failure to protect life of the common people, he opined that until and unless the pro-military Act is completely scraped there would be no respite for the people of Manipur.

He further suggested that every section of the society make concerted effort to ensure AFSPA is repealed from the State.