International Human Rights Day fittingly observed
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 10 2017: Working Committee of the Apunba Lup (WCAL) observed International Human Rights Day at Gandhi Memorial Hall, today .

Director of Change and Peace Building Action, RK Bobychand, National awardee H Ibotombi Khuman and WCAL coordinators Phulindro Konsam and Joy Chingakham attended the event as the presidium members apart from leaders of various CSOs and human rights activists .

Speaking at the event, WCAL coordinator Sunil Karam said that the International Human Rights Day has been observed under the theme ' Let’s Stand Up for Equality, Justice and Human Dignity' this year .

He narrated that the various countries of the world accepted the 30 point, United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) of 1948, after witnessing the destruction and chaos left behind by the second world war .

International Human Rights Day fittingly observed

In 1966, the UN's General Assembly added International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights as well as two optional protocol into the UDHR and it became a full fledged Bill of Human Rights .

However, he said that even though India agreed to follow the UDHR, it has been violating human rights in Manipur by implementing various laws in the name of National security, law and order situation and to combat insurgency problems .

Sunil Karam claimed that the Indian Government, disregarding the International Law, merged Manipur into India and imposed various laws like Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), 1958, in the State, allowing the security forces to massacre, rape and torture the people with no fear of repercussion.

It is common knowledge that the security personnel who commit such human violation are awarded or promoted, instead of facing any trials for their crimes, he added .

India has remained unfazed despite various claims by special Rapporteur of the UN who observed that AFSPA 1958 is against human rights and should be repealed or abolished .

Many international experts and army officers have even urged for bringing a swift end to the armed conflict plaguing the State by using International Humanitarian Laws and principles in a political way, Sunil claimed .

On the other hand, he alleged that the Indian Government as well as various Multinational Corporations (MNCs) have been siphoning off the State's natural resources and they are making arrangements to continue doing so in the future .

Speaking at the event, UCM's president Elangbam Johnson said that Human Rights is a vast topic and effrots must be made to bring human rights violators, including security forces, to justice .

WCAL coordinator Phulindro Konsam said that WCAL's main objective is to bring security personnel involved in fake encounter to justice but also added that WCAL is not abandoning other human rights cases .

Phulindro further clarified that WCAL is not against any Government or regime and its only fight is for humans rights .

WCAL cannot accept the assumption made by the Chief Minister that AFSPA may be imposed again in the State by the Central Government after it is repealed .

The decision of the Central Government to impose AFSPA in the State again, is not what is important.

What is more important is the State Government's stand regarding the matter, he said.

Apunba Lup further condemned the MoU signed in the recent North East Development Summit allowing MNCs to mine and process minerals and natural resources like hydrocarbons from the State .

Bringing in more non-indigenous people, heavy militarisation etc, all in the name of bring development to the State is unacceptable, Phulindro added.