Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, April 17 2009:
Member of the Manipur State Human Rights Commission (MHRC), Ngangbam Nongyai has strongly advocated the need for the elimination of the 'extrajudicial executions' and 'involuntary disappearances' which are a routine affairs in the Indian state of Manipur by the UN and the South Asian/Asian community at the conference of NHRIs of South Asian Countries on 'Human Rights Awareness and National Capacity Building' at New Delhi which begun on April 16 .
During his short presentation at the conference organised by the National Human Rights Commission, India, Ng Nongyai has also touched on the non-compliance of India with the UN obligation for the repeal of AFSPA, 1958 .
The gists of the presentation of Ng Nongyai made available to the press include the non-ratification of Anti-Torture Convention by India while suggesting the amendment of Article 19 of the 1993 National Human Rights Protection Act to terminate impunity.
Nongyai also suggested the signing of 1998 ICC Rome Treaty by the South Asian/Asian countries including India following the footsteps of Bangladesh and Nepal and to disseminate the 12 Anti-Terror Conventions to NGOs and Governments.
Among others, Nongyai also put forward the need to establish Asian Union/Asian Human Rights Commission in the long term and strengthening the national institutions, accountability and transparency.
The conference was inaugurated by Chief Justice of India, KG Balakrishnan, and is presided over by Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission, S Rajendra Babu.
The conference is attended by representatives of UN, Ambassadors/High Commissioners of National Human Rights Commission of Afghanistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives and India.