Protect rights defenders: OMCT
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 11 2018:
The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a partnership of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) and International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), has submitted memos to the Central and the State Government urging them to take up necessary actions regarding the cases of intimidation and harassment of human rights activists in Manipur.
According to the memo, the Observatory mentioned that it was informed by reliable sources about the acts of intimidation and harassment of Salima Memcha, Thoubal District Coordinator of the Extrajudicial Execution Victims' Families Association, Manipur (EEVFAM).
It mentioned that as per the information, on April 7; at around 5 am, a team of Manipur police commando came to Salima Memcha's residence and when she enquired about the reason for their visit, the police unit gave no explanation and instead rushed inside her house, searching every room and destroying personal property.
One police officer reportedly threatened her, saying that she was the one they have been looking for months.
They also asked her information regarding her family members, including her children.
According to the report, the search lasted about 30 minutes, after which police officers left the house but before leaving, one of the police officers took a picture of Memcha and threatened her with dire consequences.
The Observatory mentioned that on the same day, Memcha submitted a memorandum to the Director General of Manipur Police, asking for protection and urgent intervention through the registration of a First lnformation Report (FIR) against the police team involved in the raid at her home.
Memcha was due to visit the Police Crime Investigation Department (CTD) branch office at Imphal that day, in connection with the case of her husband, who was killed in an alleged fake encounter with Assam Rifles.
Her husband's case is part of 62 cases submitted by EEVFAM to the Supreme Court along with Writ Petition (Criminal) 129 of 2012.However, due to concerns about her safety, Memcha did not attend the meeting, it added.
The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders further recalled that there have been other recent incidents of violence, harassment, intimidation, and threats against human rights defenders in Manipur by police and armed forces, involving a member of EEVFAM and a legal representative of many of the victims involved in EEVFAM's 2012 petition to the Supreme Court of India, as well as against Ranjeeta Sadokpam, a researcher with Human Rights Alert (HRA).
Strongly condemning the acts of harassment, intimidation, and threats against Salima Memcha, the Observatory called upon the authorities concerned to put an end to all acts of harassment and intimidation against Salima Memcha, her family members, and all human rights defenders who support the EEVFAM petition, and to undertake a prompt, thorough and impartial investigation into the said events.
It also urged the authorities concerned to guarantee the physical and psychological integrity of Salima Memcha, her family, and all human rights defenders in India, put an end to any harassment of all human rights defenders in India and ensure that they are able to carry out their activities without any hindrance and fear of reprisals, conduct a prompt, independent, and thorough investigation on the acts of harassment and intimidation of Salima Memcha and identify the perpetrators so as to bring them before an independent tribunal, and sanction them as provided by the law, repeal the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) without further delay, conform with the provisions of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on December 9, 1998, in particular with Articles 1 and 12.2 and ensure respect for human rights and fundamental freedom in accordance with international human rights standards and international instruments ratified by India.
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