MHRC expresses concern over curtailment of human rights
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 20 2021:
The Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC) has expressed serious concern over the unfolding situation where human rights are being curtailed on account of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a video message uploaded in social media, MHRC Acting Chairman Kh Mani remarked that the pandemic has been depriving the citizens of the right to life, right to liberty, right to equality and right to dignity even though these rights are guaranteed by the Constitution.
The most fundamental of all human rights is the right to life.
And right to life is not restricted to eating and breathing.
Right to life is basically about living one's life with comfort and dignity, Mani said.
The State and its machinery should ensure that all the citizens enjoy the right to life and all other fundamental rights, he said.
However, the existing situation is like putting the entire population under house arrest and thus all the fundamental rights are being violated, the MHRC Acting Chairman remarked.
The pandemic is not a creation of the Government or its machinery nor a result of God's wrath.
The restrictions imposed by the Government are not deliberate acts aimed at tormenting the masses.
Rather, the restrictions are imposed in consultation with experts for the safety of the masses, he noted.
The challenge posed by COVID-19 to humanity cannot be neutralised by the Government alone.
It demands full support of NGOs, CSOs, rights activists and the general public, he said.
He then appealed to all the people to strictly adhere to the Covid SOPs and keep oneself healthy by eating nutritious food and doing regular exercise.