Observance Programme of International Human Rights Day - 10 Dec 2009
- MSAD (Manipur Students' Association Delhi) -

New Delhi, the 10th December, 2009

Memo No.: MSAD/2009-10/PR/3

The Manipur Students' Association Delhi (MSAD) had organised an observance programme as a part of the International Human Rights Day, at Delhi University Garden at around 14:00 hours. The programme was attended by around thirty (30) individuals from various institutions, civil organizations and other different student communities including three senior women activists form Manipur. And some senior research scholars were also present in the meeting.

The members took a deliberate discussions and debates on the issues of human rights and its violations in Manipur and Northeast India. Members mainly focused on the primary factors of the escalating human rights violations and its impact in the region. Many of the members opined for an objective and a democratic procedure for the movement against human rights violations and deprivations.

Collectively, the joint body took a resolution regarding further proceedings for the mass consciousness campaign on Human Rights and its issues with a locus at the conflict areas of Northeast India. Also, at the end session of the programme, the members extended the heartiest and solemn solidarity to those who are fighting for their rights and other democratic movements of the peoples around the globe.

So, I, the undersigned request you to kindly publish the reported news and also the enclosed released statement as a news item on public interest.

With regards,
Yours faithfully,
Vice-President, MSAD

Encl.:- Released Statement by MSAD on the Occasion of International Human Rights Day Observance, 10th December, 2009

International Human Rights Day Observance
10th December, 2009

The Indian State thrives on its capacity to use coercive and oppressive policies towards various democratic formation of every quarter of the civil society, the Dalit and tribal communities, the minorities and particularly the people of the Northeast and Kashmir. It has dictated various projects of development programmes which are actually surreptitious works to align with the global capitalist corporate giants.

It is ever ready to deploy the military forces on any occasion of dissent and dissidence and rights have been crushed under its rampant deployment of military atrocities and draconian legislations. In the context of such atrocities, the escalating voice of freedom and will to the universally recognised political and civil rights.

People have been struggling for basic rights to life and security in order to enjoy a dignified both at individual level and collective level. However, these basic human rights remain elusive from the daily experience of people.

Ever since Manipur was annexed to the Indian Union in 1949 the military rule has been in operation in Manipur and this is legitimized with the imposition of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in 1958. Since then things are not the same. We have been witness to perpetual physical and psychological assaults under the authority of this Draconian Act.

The Indian killings, fake encounter, custodial rapes and murders, tortures, forced disappearance, illegal detentions, forced labour, and destruction of properties. The people of Manipur stand visibly distinct with the haunted experiences of human rights violation, and the severe wounds and mutilations suffered from such atrocities and excess.

It is to remind these facts of our life that we have been living and to face the draconic presence of the India state in Manipur in particular that we have been observing International Human Rights Day on the 10th December every year.

It is also to see that we have the courage and desire to adopt the ideal of the principle of human rights for a dignified life which is in fact the spirit if this observance. We have to strive and continue the struggle to realize our will to freedom, honour and dignity. On this day, we extend our solemn solidarity to those around the globe who are struggling for rights and t the democratic movements which are in every part of the world.

Victory to Unity

Released by : Manipur Students' Association Delhi (MSAD)

Apunbana Yaipharae
(Unity is Victory)

Manipur Students' Association Delhi
(Estd. 1971)