Convention on rights of HRDs calls on Govt to protect rights defenders
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 29 2018: The Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur, Citizens Concern for Dams and Development, Committee on the Protection of Natural Resources in Manipur have organised a convention on "Advancing Rights of Human Rights Defenders in Manipur at Manipur Press Club, Imphal today and called on the Government to establish a policy for protection ofhuman nights defenders of Manipur in accordance with the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders (HRDs), 1998.Speaking at the event, Khaidem Mani exhorted that the Manipur Human Rights Commission will endeavour to examine controversial laws like Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 for appropriate recommendations, in addition to steps it would take to promote rights of human rights defenders.

It would also address the aggravating multifaceted human rights violations in the State.

The participants of the convention resolved that the Government should recognise the role of human rights defenders in conflict afflicted Manipur and foster democratic practices and culture "of rights and allow their legitimate human rights work without fear of harassment, torture and deprivation of their right to life.

The convention expressed strong concern with the "arbitrary" summon of Jiten Yumnam, a human rights defender on August 13 allegedly by the Manipur police commandos at Imphal West Commando complex "without any" written order and reason.

Denouncing such incident, the convention urged the Government to stop all forms of intimidation, false charges, harassment, arbitrary detention, torture etc to rights defenders including Jiten Yumnam, Sadokpam Ranjeeta of Human Rights Alert and Ngouba of Committee on Human Rights.

It urged the Government to ensure their safety and protection.

Welcoming the revival of the Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC), the convention felicitated Senior Advocate Khaidem Mani on his appointment as chairperson of the MHRC.

The convention further urged the Government and demanded the withdrawal of emergency laws such as Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958, Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 1957, National Security Act, 1980 etc saying that the Acts target human rights defenders.

It also called for the implementation of the recommendations of Margarett Saggakya, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders during her visit to India in January 2011 to protect rights of all human rights defenders in Manipur and across India.

The convention also called on the Government to uphold the UN Convention Against Torture and the DK Basu judgement against arbitrary summon, illegal arrests and torture of innocent people in 1996.Babloo Loitongbam, Director Human Rights Alert, Aram Pamei, co-chairperson of Citizen Concern for Dams and Development attended the event as resource persons.

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