Consultative meeting concludes in Ukhrul
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network

Ukhrul, June 05 2014: The 2nd Consultative Meeting of Indigenous Peoples Human Rights Groups of the North East India participated by Borok Peoples Human Rights Organisation (BPHRO), Indigenous Women's Forum of Northeast India (IWFNEI), Karbi Human Rights Watch (KHRW), Meghalaya Peoples Human Rights Council (MPHRC), Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR), and Zomi Human Rights Foundation (ZHRF), was held from June 2 and concluded on Wednesday at Ukhrul, Manipur.

The meeting expressed extreme concern over the deteriorating human rights situations of indigenous people within the region.

It deliberated on the alarming rise in human rights violations resulting from increased militarization linked to developmental aggression and economic policies that aim to disenfranchise and marginalize indigenous communities further.

It further noted the negative impact that such approach has had on indigenous communities resulting in increasing cases of human trafficking, violence against women and children, and HIV/AIDS etc.

The meeting took strong note of the ongoing series of negotiation and dialogue between the States and the Centre with different indigenous groups and civil societies with regards to their various demands for recognition of their distinct rights and identities based on their historical relationship over their lands, territories, resources, languages and cultures.

During the discussion, representatives of these organisations expressed their serious concern over the delay of these processes and strongly urged the government to sincerely expedite the process of negotiation for meaningful solution.

The meeting deeply distressed by the continued racial attacks and discrimination against people from the region residing in other parts of the country questioned the insincerity of the government in ensuring the safety and security of the people.

Representatives of the organizations also dwelt at length on the serious implicit role of successive governments in perpetuating conflicts among the indigenous peoples of the region through encouragement of land alienation by non-indigenous communities, implementation of anti-people development agendas, extraction of mineral resources etc.

All these has led to large scale displacement of indigenous communities from their lands and territories.

The meeting reiterated its stance on the right to self-determination of indigenous peoples and strongly urged the Government of India to uphold its commitment to the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

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