Civil organisations cry foul
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 23:
Although human rights record of the Government of India is to be examined in the UN Human Rights Council in April 2008 under the newly established Universal Periodic Review Procedure, India Government has not consulted the civil society stakeholders at the time of preparation as well as submission of its report.
Consequently, more than 200 NGOs from across the country under the common banner of People Forum for UPR in India submitted their own report to the UN Human Rights Council.
The Forum was constituted after an urgent National consultation on November 13 and 14 in New Delhi.
Addressing a press conference in this connection at the office of Human Rights Alert here today, executive director of the human rights body Babloo Loitongbam said that the failure of the Government of India to consult civil society stakeholders before the November 20 deadline of submission of the report is in complete defiance of the UN norms which is really condemnable.
Of the 40-paged report on human rights issues in India sought by the UN, 10 pages are to be from the UN agencies and 10 other pages from the stakeholders while leaving only 20 pages for the India Government, Babloo explained.
So in the light of the failure of the Govt of India to consult the stakeholders, the stakeholders themselves under the common banner of People Forum for UPR in India prepared and submitted a report of their own, he said, while disclosing that 12-page report submitted by the Forum is in five sections and the issue of North East India like the human rights situation and the obligation and commitment of the State have been prominently highlighted.
On the armed conflict situation in North East India, the report pointed out that while the Government of India justifies imposition of Armed Forces Special Powers Act because of the war-like situation before the UN Human Rights Committee, it denies existence of any armed conflict before the CEDAW Committee to deny applicability of the Security Council Resolution 1325 on protection of women victims.
On immunity, the report said even for prosecution of the law enforcement accused of rape and murder �prior sanction� from the Government has made mandatory under section 197 of CrPC and section 6 of Armed Forces Special Powers Act.
On National obligation, the report noted that the Government of India is yet to officially release the Report of the Committee to Review the Armed Forces Special Powers Act submitted to the Government in June, 2005, neither has it implemented the recommendation no.8.5.17 of the 5th report of the Second Administrative Reform Commissioner to repeal the Act submitted to the Government in June, 2007.On key economic, social and cultural rights issues, the report stated that in armed conflict situation, militarisation and military oriented development are being encouraged.
Public hearing for approval of the projects is held inside army barracks with selected participants in North East and private sectors have been hiring security agencies/anti-social elements for human rights violations of the victims, the reported added.