UN Rappoteur emphatises with NE
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 29 2012: UN Special Rapporteur on Extra Judicial Summary or Arbitrary Execution, Prof Chirstof Heyns has said that he is aware of the hardships being faced by the people of the North East and it is the major reason for secessionist movement prevalent in the region.

He was speaking at a North East consultation programme held at Brahmaputra Ashoka Hotel in Guwahati yesterday.

Different human rights groups, families of the victims of extra-judicial killings and media persons presented statements before the UN Rappoteur in the consultation programme.

Heyns said he would address the grievances of the victims of human rights abuse and submit a report to the Government of India although he is not the authority to change the law of the country.

The programme was jointly organised by North East Human Rights Defenders' Network, Women's Governance Network North East, United NGOs Mission, Manipur, Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights in Manipur and United Nations.

Giving the opening remarks of the programme, Human Rights Alert Director Babloo Loitongbam said that the programme was organised to draw attention of the United Nations regarding various human rights violations and extra-judicial killings happening in the North East.

Representatives from Extra Judicial Execution Victims' Families Association, Manipur, Gun Widows Association, Sadar Hills and All Manipur Working Journalists' Union presented statements before the UN Rappoteur and submitted reports of extra-judicial killings.

Delegates from Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura and Nagaland also drew attention of the UN Rapporteur to fake encounters, disappearnace and sodomy cases which occured in their respective States.

All Manipur Working Journalists' Union mentioned about killing of six scribes in different incidents and the murder of Junior Sub-Editor Rishikanta.

Former Chairman of Manipur Human Rights Commission WA Sishak was the chairperson of the consultation programme.

Former Members of Manipur Human Rights Commission RK Rajendra, Yambem Laba, father of late L Satish, L sarat and former MLA Debrabarta Laifungbam also spoke in the programme.

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