Nobel Peace Laureates join International Tribunal for Peace Efforts in Manipur
- 19 August 2023 -

*

In an effort to bring about peace, healing and reconciliation, concerned citizens and organizations from Manipur and around the world met and sowed the seeds towards the establishment of an International Tribunal for Peace in Manipur (ITPM). The aim of the Tribunal is to help in charting a pathway for much needed peace in Manipur which is one of the least known and most forgotten war zones of the world. The Tribunal is comprised of concerned and committed individuals and organizations from Manipur and around the world

Those who were present at the meeting include Nobel Peace Laureates Shirin Ebadi and Jody Williams, Ambassador Steffen Kongstad, Kassahun Checole, Reynaldo Antonio Morales Cardenas, Fred Lubang, Mitzi Austero, Binalakshmi Nepram, International Peace Bureau as well as members of Northeast India Women Initiative for Peace and Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network.

The group met to address the past history as well as the current violent conflict in Manipur, which broke out on May 3rd, 2023 and has led to the deaths of 180+ people, over 3,000 injuries, and over 70,000 displaced. Manipur has been in state of conflict since 1950s and is one of the most militarized and weaponised zones in the world.

Over 60 armed groups operate in the state and over 20,000 women have been widowed due to armed conflict. People have been caught between the guns of the state and non-state armed groups with serious impacts on lives of women, children and the youth. The violence has had a devastating impact on the lives of the people for decades.

The International Tribunal for Peace in Manipur came together to understand and look into the root causes of origins of conflict, the impact on the lives of people and look at conflict-resolution processes involving third-party non-partisan groups trusted by all sides of conflicts past and present to help resolve violent conflicts.

The Tribunal members will also strive to work towards working with women, youth, community and Indigenous leaders on all sides of the conflict as well as with Indigenous leaders from around the world who have worked in conflict settings. Manipur has suffered seven decades of conflict and the effort of the Tribunal to help assist like minded efforts to help bring peace to Manipur.

In the words of Binalakshmi Nepram, “The Tribunal’s efforts are meant for bringing peace, healing, reconciliation and solace to the 3.3 million people of Manipur and we will be working closely with all members across ethnic groups to ensure that the people of Manipur deserve the peace and justice much needed.

The Tribunal is like a ray of light in the darkest time in the history of Manipur and a proof that not just the people of India but the world stands with the people of Manipur at this difficult time.We hope to work with everyone concerned to ensure that peace returns to our homes and our hearts.”

Along with Ms Jodi and Ms Ibadi, the International Peace Bureau which is historically recognized as world’s oldest peace organization and recipient of the 1910 Nobel Peace Prize has also joined the Tribunal for Peace in Manipur.

For more details, contact

Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network
Northeast India Women Initiative for Peace