Call to revoke AFSPA reiterated
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 14 2012: Saying that the recommendations of the Justice Jeevan Reddy Commission (2005) and 2nd Administrative Reform Commission of India (2007) are the "democratic voices" of the people in the country, the United NGOs Mission, Manipur (UNM-M) has on Friday urged the Government of India to repeal AFSPA immediately from Manipur.

Addressing a press conference at Manipur Press Club in Imphal, U Nobokishore, secretary, UNM-M said the people in the North Eastern States of India and both the Central and State Governments are aware of the fact that Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 was imposed in the region with the strategic reasons to counter insurgencies.

However, he asked why such Act is still imposing and continuing in spite of the reality that number of insurgent movements in the region has been increasing and there are strong protests by people against AFSPA in various states in the region.

He further said the Government of India's own committee headed by Justice Jeevan Reddy set up in 2004 and the 2nd Administrative Reforms Commission which is chaired by Congress leader Veerapa Moily recommended that AFSPA be repealed.

So far, 14 United Nation's Special Rapporteurs have recommended the Government of India to shun the grave human rights violation which is persisting in the NE region as a product of AFSPA and protect human rights issue in the region, Nobokishore cited.

In spite of strong movement from the people in the region and Manipur in particular and pressure from many countries in the world to repeal AFSPA, the Union Government of India has decided not to respect the democratic voice of the people, he accused.

Saying that the UN Committee on Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), the committee formed by a body of experts on racial discrimination from different parts of the world has also proved that AFSPA is a "racial discriminatory Act," he suggested that the people of Manipur need to understand and debate on the issue of racism very soon.

UNM-M, therefore, humbly recommends six-point to the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister and Government of Manipur for kind consideration and urgent action, he said.

The sixpoint recommendation says that UNM-M welcomes and extends its deep honour to the proceeding of the Supreme Court of India in relation to AFSPA.

It also says that UNM-M urges to repeal AFSPA as per the recommendation of the Justice Jeevan Reddy Commission and 2nd Administrative Reformed Commission of India because these recommendations of such committees are the democratic voices of the people and India should respect them and repeal AFSPA immediately.

Pushing the Government of India not to repeat the experience of the Supreme Court judgments on AFSPA in 1997, it further urges the Government to start political dialogue with the armed political organizations for a long term sustainable peace and political settlement in the state of Manipur.

It finally urges India to ratify the International Criminal Court immediately.

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