Public meet on Human Rights held at Thoubal
Source: The Sangai Express
Thoubal, March 01 2014 :
To urge the Govt of India to repeal Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act 1958; to respect and implement the common article 3 of Geneva Conventions, 1949 and Additional Protocol-II of 1977; to establish Special Investigation Team to investigate into all cases of rape, torture and killing of innocent civilians, women and children and deliver justice to the victims and compensate them; to provide assistance to the victims of rape, torture, assault and harassment and to urge political parties to include repealing AFSPA in their election Manifesto are the recommendations during a public meeting on International Humanitarian Law and Crimes against Humanity held today at Keirak, Thoubal district.
Besides, the meeting also recommended to urge the armed opposition groups to respect and implement the common article 3 of Geneva Conventions, 1949 and Additional Protocol-II of 1977; to reconcile and cease factional fights; to sign and respect Deed of Agreement of Geneva Call on the use of Landmine, on Gender based Violence and on Violence against Children.
The program was jointly organised by Keirak Makha Social Welfare Club, Comprehensive Development Centre, Umathel, Eramdam Semgat Sagat Lup, United Women Development Association, Umathel and North East Dialogue Forum.
Th Sanatomba, Pradhan Keirak GP, Th Kumarjeet Singh, Up-Pradhan, Keirak GP, T Gouro Singh, Social Worker, Kh Samo Meitei, Asst Teacher, Southern Valley Standard English School, Keirak and Kh Dilipkumar Singh, Founder cum Principal, Southern Valley Standard English School, Keirak were present as presidium members.
The resource persons of the program were Babloo Loitongbam, Executive Director, Human Rights Alert and U Nobokishore, Convener, North East Dialogue Forum.
The presence of huge security personnel indicates the de facto existence of war or armed conflict, L Babloo stated.
If there is a war, international humanitarian law or law of armed conflict as set out in the Geneva Conventions, 1949 should be respected and implemented by the conflicting parties, stated Babloo.
He recalled the struggle of Irom Sharmila and the calls by national and international bodies to repeal AFSPA.
He wondered why the ruling Congress party and the opposition BJP at the centre fail to include repealing AFSPA in their election manifestos in the forthcoming parliamentary election.
While appreciating the steps taken by the Supreme Court on the extrajudicial killings in Manipur, U Nobikishore another resource person condemned the act of security forces committing different forms of human rights violations such as killings, raping, torturing and enforced disappearances etc.
Strongly condemning the killing of 1528 persons including women and children in the fake encounter due to the impunity of AFSPA, he urged the Government to established Special Investigation Team to investigate all other cases of human rights violations such as rape, enforced disappearance, torture and murder etc and provide justice and reparations to the victims' families.
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