OMCT raises deep concerns
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 05 2023:
Raising concerns about credible reports of excessive use of force and pellet guns by security forces during student protests in Manipur, the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) has called on the Government of India to repeal the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) 1958 .
Saying that 170 people were injured by the excessive use of force by security forces, including the Army on September 26 and 27, OMCT highlighted that the demonstrators who consisted of mostly girls and young women were protesting against the disappearance and murder of two classmates.
In view of these atrocities, the OMCT has urged the Government of India to guarantee basic human rights for everyone in Manipur; ensure freedom of assembly and expression by protecting peaceful demonstrations and issuing clear instructions to the security forces to refrain from using excessive force against protesters in accordance with international standards, including the 'Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms' and the 'Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials' ; protect human rights defenders, particularly in Manipur, who monitor the situation and support victims of violence and carry out prompt, effective, thorough, independent, and impartial investigations into the security forces' abuses and violence.
Elucidating on AFSPA 1958, the OMCT said that this law grants broad impunity to security forces and that several Governments, UN experts, and most recently the European Parliament in a resolution, have called on India to repeal the Act.
Pointing out the history of human rights violations in Manipur, OMCT further highlighted that between 1979 and 2012, more than 1500 people were allegedly killed in extrajudicial executions by police and security forces.
In 2016, India's Supreme Court took the historic step of ordering a probe into 98 killings.
But seven years later, the victims are still waiting for justice as officials try to stall investigations, and the victims' families are harassed and humiliated, OMCT claimed.
The OMCT has also expressed concern about the shrinking space for civil society organisations, human rights defenders, and citizens who want to exercise their legitimate rights.
Over the last decade, the Government of India has enacted and implemented laws that severely restrict the activities and funding of civil society groups, it said.