Rights bodies to air grievances to NHRC
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 19 2013 : A one-day State level convention on 'Protection of Human Rights defenders of Manipur' held today at Manipur Press Club has adopted a number of reso-lutions including apprising the visiting delegates of National Human Rights Commission of India about difficulties being faced by human rights defen-ders of Manipur.

The convention organised jointly by nine human rights, students and women's organisations ahead of the maiden visit to the State by the NHRC team (october 23 to 25), also resolved to urge for allocating adequate time to discuss relevant issues with human rights defenders as well as propose to accord spe-cial attention to the situation of human rights defenders of Manipur.

The other decisions adop-ted at the convention included urging both the Central and State Government to recognise the importance and legi- timacy of the works of human rights defenders; ensure protection of all human rights defenders of Manipur and allow them continue legitimate human rights work with- out fear of harassment, torture and deprivation of their right to life; stop targeting all human rights defenders; repeal emergency laws such as AFSPA 1958, Unlawful Activities Prevention Act 1967 and National Security Act 1980 that compromise security of innocent citizens and human rights defenders; to drop all charges against internationally renowned human rights defender Irom Chanu Sharmila; ensure full functioning of Manipur human Rights Commission, Manipur Information Commission and all ombudsman of welfare schemes, with due appointment of competent and com- mitted members through a transparent process; ensure right to information, free exchange of human rights infor- mation, freedom of expression for all human rights de- fenders of Manipur; fully im-plement the recommendations of the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders Margaret Saggakya during her visit to India in February 2011; and formulate policies to end all practice of torture, ill-treatment, intimidation, reprisal, harassment, degrading treatment, levelling false criminal charges against human rights defenders and other members of the community in accordance with the UN convention against Torture.

The convention was a joint initiative of Committee on Protection of natural Resource of Manipur, North East Dialogue Forum, All Tribal Students' Union Manipur, All Zeliangrong Students Union, Citizens Concern for Dams and Development, Human Rights Initiative, Naga Women's Union, Centre for Research and Advocacy Manipur and Sinlung Indigenous Peoples Human Rights Organization.

Chandam Brajachand, Member Secretary, Manipur Legal Services Centre and Dr RK Ranjan, Chairperson, Citizens Concern for Dams and Development were respectively the chief guest and president of the convention while Yambem Laba, former MHRC member and Aram Pamei, former president of Naga Women Union attended as the guests of honour.

A resource person speaking at the convention

Rakesh Meihoubam, Director, Human Rights Law Network; Dr Debabrata Roy Laifungbam, President, Elders Council, Centre for Organization Research and Education; Aram Pamei; Jiten Yumnam, Secretary, Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur; Nobokishore, Secretary, North East Dialogue Forum; Majabung Gangmei, spokesperson, ATSUM; Phulindro Konsam and Chairperson, Committee on Human Rights deliberated at length on the convention topic.

Convention delegates highlighting role and importance of human rights defenders in diverse issues in an armed conflict afflicted Manipur also stressed on the need for contribution in building sustainable peace.

Expressing concern with the persisting and increasing threats, ill treatment and harassment of human rights defenders of Manipur by State actors and others for their human rights activism, for promotion of right to life, right to land and natural resources, for women's and children's rights etc, in the context of increasing economic liberalization and related development aggression further reiterated that targeting human rights defenders are serious human rights violations, under India's national laws, International Human Rights standards and International Humanitarian Laws.

Taking grim note of summoning Jiten Yumnam, a human rights defender on October 2 by Police commandos at Commando complex, Minuthong, without any legal order and giving any reason, cautioned that such unwanted interferences would only impede in finding lasting solution to different problems besieging the State.

Recalling obligations and directions of NHRC to uphold the rights, safety and protection of all human rights defenders, the speakers also referred to the 1996 DK Basu Judgement against arbitrary summon, illegal arrest and torture of innocent people to convey their displeasure against the conduct of the police commandos.

They further reminded all concerned on the recommendations of Margaret Saggakya, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, in her report submitted to the UN Human Rights Council following her visit to India in January 2011 to protect the human rights of all human rights defenders in Manipur and across India.

Expressing concern against wide misuse of emergency legislations in armed conflict afflicted Manipur, such as the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958, Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 1967, National Security Act, 1980 which are used allegedly to target human rights defenders, the convention delegates also conveyed solidarity with the struggle of human rights defender, Irom Sharmila, who has been on fast for the last 13 years for repealing AFSPA 1958 .

non functioning of Manipur Human Rights Commission, due to non appointment of its members also came under sharp criticism with the delegates airing strong resentment that a dysfunctional MHRC has been hindering in seeking protection and justice for human rights defenders.