Call for effective MHRC sounded
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 22 2017: A plenary meeting of several concerned citizens has recommended today in Imphal for "establishing an effective" Manipur State Human Rights Commission .

Executive Director of Human Rights Alert, Babloo Loitongbam, Justice (Rtd) WA Shishak, noted advocate Khaidem Mani, former Chief Minister of Manipur, Radhabinod Koijam, Executive Director of South Asia Human Rights Documentation Centre, Ravi Nair were some of the people who participated in today's event .

Babloo Loitongbam informed Newmai News Network this evening that they also met Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh in this regard after the meeting .

Meanwhile, the plenary meeting recommended the selection of the third member of the Commission stipulated under section 21 (2) (c) of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 be done after wide consultation to ensure that a person of impeccable integrity and demonstrated commitment to human rights is appointed .

The meeting also recommended that in order to maintain the dignity and status of the offices of the Chairperson and the members of the Commission, the Manipur Human Rights Commission (Salaries and Allowances and other terms and conditions of the Chairperson and Members) Rules, 2004 be suitably amended on par with best practices of other States .

It further recommended that, a minimum of 0.25 % of the State Budget be allocated for the Manipur State Human Rights Commission every year.

The mandate of the Commission will cover the executive functions of all departments of the State.

"As mandated by section 27 (1) (a) an officer not below the rank of a Secretary to the State Government shall be the Secretary of the Commission and similarly under section 27(1)(b) an officer not below the rank of an Inspector General of Police as investigating officer should be made available to the Commission with adequate permanent supporting staff, in consultation with the Commission," was one of the recommendations of the plenary meeting .

Another recommendation said, "The Chief Minster (Leader of the House) shall ensure filing of Action Taken Report on the basis of the Annual Report of the Commission to the legislature".

These recommendations came after the discussion while "reminding ourselves of the United Nations' Paris Principles on setting up of National Human Rights Institutions which applies not only to the National Human Rights Commission but also equally to the State Human Rights Commissions".

The members present at the meeting also resolved to approach the Government of Manipur with renewed expectation that the Government will firmly establish the rule of law in the State of Manipur .

"In this context the recent judgment of the Supreme Court of India in the EEVFAM vs Union of India is extremely important.

It underlined the importance of a State Human Rights Commission that could have addressed many of these issues within Manipur itself using the genius of the legal fraternity and the civil society," the meeting added.

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