Calls to uphold rights mark Rights Day in Ukhrul
Source: Chronicle News Service / R Lester Makang
Ukhrul, December 10 2024:
Senior human rights activist Luingam Luithui has called upon the indigenous people to uphold the rights and dignity of the elders passed down through generations, stating that everyone has responsibility to protect rights for one another.
"Human rights do not exist in empty space.
But it exists within human society.
And so human rights are synonymous with humanity," Luithui said, while addressing the observance of the 76th Anniversary of the International Human Rights Day held at DRDA Hall, Mini-secretariat in Ukhrul town on Tuesday.
The observance was jointly organised by District Forum for Understanding (DFU) and Society for Indigenous Cultural Empowerment (SICE) .
He stressed that humans being social beings share the responsibility of safeguarding the rights of one another.
"Unless we help one another defend our rights, there is no point in living together as a society," he observed.
At the same time, he called on the people tp learn to comprehend their rights and actively utilise them, especially in the face of discrimination and injustice.
He lamented that despite high levels of education, many people still fail to understand and assert their rights effectively.
Luithui also urged the gathering to reflect on the sacrifices of their ancestors, who fought for freedom and justice and give due acknowledgment.
The gathering also featured insights from other notable speakers such as Samuel Risom, a social and human rights activist, who emphasised the existential threats posed by state policies targeting hill land and forest ownership, underscoring the precarious position of indigenous communities, whose identities and livelihoods are at stake.
Senior advocate and chair of the IT MSCST Daniel Ramsan reinforced the legal framework underpinning rights protection by citing constitutional guarantees embedded in the Bill of Rights.
He called for legal mechanisms to be upheld to ensure that all individuals receive equal protection and benefits.
The observance was also attended by DFU convenor Hungyohung and SICE chairman LM Thanmi Shimray , alongside senior citizens and public leaders.