Jiten Yumnam, CRAM at UN Permanent Forum on Indegenous Issues at New York

May 18, 2016:

Mr. Jiten Yumnam, secretary of the Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur and a member of the Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights in Manipur and the United Nations, attended the Fifteenth session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (PFII) held at the UN Headquarters in New York from 9 till 20th May 2016.

Mr. Yumnam intervened on two agenda items of PFII, Agenda Item 4 that deals with implementation of Six thematic areas of the PFII and also on Agenda Item 5, Interactive Dialogue on “Indigenous Peoples: Conflict, Peace and Resolution”. Mr. Yumnam also made submissions on Agenda 3, i.e, implementation of outcome of World Conference on Indigenous Peoples.

Mr. Yumnam speaking during the PFII shared how Manipur continues to be afflicted with an armed conflict with ongoing movement for their political rights and how the Government of India continues to adopt military responses and enactment of special emergency legislations such as the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 (AFSPA).

He explained how AFSPA has long been controversial for its extra ordinary powers conferred to the armed forces of India and the violations unleashed under the act on indigenous communities of Manipur.

Recalling how several UN Human Rights officials have already recommended repeal of AFSPA, 1958 for its longstanding violation of indigenous peoples’ rights, he urged upon the UN PFII to urge upon the Government of India to repeal AFSPA, 1958.

Mr. Yumnam also shared the pattern of corporatization and expropriation of indigenous peoples land and natural resources in Manipur, without respecting their self- determination. The targeting of peoples land and resources both by the State and corporate bodies for pursuance of mega dams, oil exploration and mining and other infrastructure projects with tacit facilitation of international financial institutions, viz, Asian Development Bank, the World Bank etc will worsen human rights and survival challenges of indigenous peoples.

The ongoing efforts to complete Mapithel dam by blocking the Thoubal River, the proposed move to construct the 1500 MW Tipaimukh dam, the signing of four MoUs on 28 August 2014 between Government and the North East Electric Power Corporation for the construction of four mega dams over Barak River without affected peoples consent is an effort to undermine indigenous peoples' self-determined development over their land.

The Government also granted license to Jubilant Oil and Gas Private Limited, for exploration and drilling works in two oil blocks in Manipur without peoples’ consent. Polices such as North East India Hydrocarbon vision, 2030 and Manipur hydro power policy, 2012 are framed to undermine peoples' rights over their land and resources.

Mr. Yumnam also shared how the infusion of non-indigenous population in indigenous territories has also led to land alienation, marginalization of indigenous communities and multifaceted conflicts.

The Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur and the CSO coalition on Human Rights in Manipur and UN urged upon the Government of India to respect and recognize indigenous peoples’ self-determination and self-determined rights of indigenous peoples over their land and resources and to stop all unsustainable development process pursued in Manipur.

He also urged the Government of India to undertake a comprehensive conflict resolution process inclusive of inter and intra communities in Manipur and in North East India, based on recognition of their human rights. He further urged to end militarization and to stop the infusion of non- indigenous population in Manipur without their consent.

Sanaton Laishram
President
CENTRE FOR RESEARCH AND ADVOCACY, MANIPUR (CRAM)
Sega Road Hodam Leirak, Imphal, Manipur - 795001, India
Website: www.cramanipur.org Skype ID: cra.manipur
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