Rights body to petition UN envoy
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 20 2013 :
UN Special Rapporteur Rashida Manjoo would be visiting India to make a direct assessment of the violence against women in the country.
Taking the opportunity, the Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights in Manipur and the UN are preparing a memorandum which would provide details about crime against women in Manipur.
UN special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women Rashida Manjoo would be visiting India from April 22 to May 1 as per an order issued by the UN on April 17 .
In the course of her India visit, Rashida Manjoo would come to Manipur on April 28.She would interact with families of victims, civil society leaders and NGOs working against violence on women the same afternoon.
The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women was set by the UN Commission of Human Rights on March 4, 1994 .
Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club here today, convenor of the Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights in Manipur and the UN Laifungbam De-babratta Roy said that exis- ting armed conflict and prolonged imposition of AFSPA have been contributing to the alarming cases of crimes against women.
Even though UN Special Rapporteurs have visited India twice they were denied entry in Manipur.
It is heartening that UN Special Rapporteur would be visiting Manipur this time.
Urging all civil society lea-ders, victim families and wo- men activists to welcome the UN Special Rapporteur, De-babratta appealed to one and all no to call any bandh or general strike on April 28 .
Women Action for Development secretary Sobita Mangshatabam remarked that the UN Special Rapporteur's proposed visit to Manipur is a welcome development.
In spite of numerous cases of crimes against women committed by security forces, UG elements and other people, justice delivery rate is ab- ysmally low.
Both the State Government and the Central Government are not responsive to tackle such criminal activities.
It is a good fortune for the people of Manipur, particularly the victims and their families that the UN is sending its official who would assess the situation of Manipur directly and listen to plight of victims, Sobita said.