Mass Rally AFSPA 20061209

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Mass Demonstration against AFSPA, Militarization and Impunity

Mass Demonstration against AFSPA, Militarization and Impunity
On Saturday 9 December 2006
At New Delhi

Repeal The Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958
A Call for Your Participation

For over 6 years now, Irom Sharmila has been on a fast unto death. Six years, without food or a drop of water touching her lips.

For this "crime", for her peaceful satyagraha, she has been arrested by the government and is being forcibly nose fed.

Sharmila has been demanding the repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act 1958 (AFSPA). So have the people of Manipur, many civil society groups and concerned organizations and individuals.

The AFSPA is a drastic law that allows army personnel of any rank (and any paramilitary / security officer under their command) to shoot, arrest or search without a warrant. And to even shoot to kill on suspicion alone!

Further, AFSPA gives the military protection from any scrutiny by India's courts, because no legal action can be taken against the armed forces without permission of the government.

The AFSPA violates the Right to Life promised to every Indian by our Constitution.

Because of the impunity given to armed personnel by AFSPA, Manipur in particular and North East and J&K in larger context has � for decades � borne the brunt of horrifying violations: there have been mass killings of innocent civilians; women have been sexually violated and raped; young men have disappeared in custody; people have been tortured; and many have been extra-judicially executed. Sadly, in most cases, the guilty military men have not been punished.

We, a collective of people's movements, students, women groups, human rights groups, concerned individuals and other civil society groups demand from the Government of India:

* Repeal the AFSPA and all black laws in North East and Kashmir
* Do not retain the provisions of AFSPA indirectly via any other law
* Put an end to the climate of impunity in North East, Kashmir and other regions
* Prosecute the military personnel guilty of violations against people.
* Put an end to the recurrent violation of citizens' democratic and human rights by means of military might.

JOIN US
Mass Demonstration against AFSPA, Militarization and Impunity
Rally from Mandi House to Parliament Street
Saturday 9 December 2006
Time: 02:00 pm.

(Bring your organizations protest banners and placards)

Call for action issued by:
Apunba Lup, MSAD, PUCL, Jagori, HRLN, LRS, DAMMS, JNSU, AISA, DUSU, FDI, MRFD, PSU, The Other Media, Indigenous Women's Resource Centre (NE Region), PUDR, PLS, Sangat, CGPI, MPO, ISI Delhi, KJS, SAD, KYSV, Yuva Bharat, Justice For Workers, NTUI, SPDPR, CASIM, Jamia Millia Islamia Students Union, Saheli, United NGO Mission Manipur, People's Right Organization, Reach Out, MRF, INSAF and various individuals

Dated: 4th Dec' 2006.

CONTACT:
Email:
[email protected] , [email protected], [email protected]

Time	Activity
01:50 pm	Congregation at Mandi House
02:00 pm	Protest march from Mandi House to Parliament Street
02:40 pm	Gathering at Parliament Street
03: 00 pm	Introduction Speech by Banerjit, President MSAD
03:05 pm	Speech by Ravi Himadri, Director , The Othermedia
03: 15 pm	Speech by Kamla Bhasin, Advisor, Sangat (tbc)
03: 25 pm	Speech by Willfred Dcosta, General Secretary, Insaf
03: 35 pm	Speech by Bimol Akoijam, Research Fellow, CSDS
03: 55 pm	Speech by Prof Kamal Mitra Chenoy
04: 10 pm	Speech by Kangleipal, Apunba Lup
04: 20 pm	Conclusion by Rojesh Yumnam, Human Rights Activist

The above information is provided by MSAD . You can reach them at [email protected] . This announcement was webcasted on December 08th , 2006

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