International rights body petitions Prime Minister on threats to RTI activists
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, April 22 2011:
While bringing up the matter of alleged threats posed on the lives of four women RTI activists in Manipur to the notice of the Government of India, the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders has urged Prime Minister Manmohon Singh to intervene into the matter.
The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders is a joint programme of the World Organisation Against Torture and the International Federation for Human Rights.
They submitted a memorandum to the PM copies of which were also forwarded to P Chidambaram, Union Minister of Home Affairs, Justice Kapadia, Chief Justice of India and RK Raghavan, Chairman of the Special Investigation Team, Supreme Court, Justice KG Balkrishnan, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission of India, Gopinathan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Permanent Representative to the United Nations (Geneva) and the Embassy of India in Brussels.
In a memorandum, the Observatory said that they were informed by the Centre for Organisation Research and Education of the death threats received by Ibempishak Takhellambam, Memcha Sagolsem, Anita Konjengbam and Momon Mayanglambam, members of Manipur Chanura Leishem Marup (also known as Macha Leima).
They received the threats following the refusal of the State Public Information Officer of Manipur government to inform them on action taken by local authorities of Pallel Gram Panchayat to implement the MGNREGS.
The four women human rights defenders have been trying to obtain such information relying upon the RTI Act of 2005 .
According to the information received, on April 2, 2011 around 2 pm, two unidentified young men entered the house of Memcha Sagolem, who was absent.
They asked her daughter-in-law about Memcha Sagolem's whereabouts, and where Anita Konjengbam's house was located.
They subsequently went to Ibempishak Takhellambam's house in Pallel Mamang Leikal, Thoubal district where they met her husband and her younger son and told them that the "work" done by the four women should stop immediately, otherwise they would face dire consequences.
They gave them a mobile telephone number +91801 822 0380, and left.
Around 7.30 pm the same day, Ibempishak called the number.
A male voice reportedly picked up the phone, she asked the man to disclose his identity and to explain what he wanted from her.
The latter replied that there was no need for her to ask any questions, and that she should immediately stop the activity she was involved with, otherwise she would have to face dire consequences.
Following these threats, the four women fled from their homes and stayed at relatives' and friends' homes nearby.
On April 6, Anita and Ibempishak filed complaints at the police stations of Kakching and Pallel.
However, officers of the two police stations reportedly refused to file a FIR on their case.
On April 17, the four women human rights defenders returned to their respective homes.
The Observatory is deeply concerned by the threats received by the four indigenous women human rights defenders, seeking information on the implementation of MGNREGS in accordance with the Indian legislation and international human rights standards.
The threats received on April 2, 2011 by the four women human rights defenders are related with their attempts to obtain information under the RTI Act of 2005 .
Since the promulgation of this Act, the four women human rights defenders have indeed been involved in the "RTI Apunba Nupi Lup" campaign and network, established and coordinated by Macha Leima.
The memorandum urged the PM to ensure human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with international human rights standards and international instruments ratified by India.
It also said, "Everyone whose rights or freedoms are allegedly violated has the right, either in person or through legally authorized representation" .
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