Imphal, January 25: The Centre for Organisation Research and Education (CORE) has extended its solidarity to the Manipuri women's month-long protest against AFSPA which began from today on the eve of India's Republic Day celebration at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi.

In a statement, programme co-ordinator of CORE Wahengbam Joykumar said call for repeal of the undemocratic, anti-people and unconstitutional military Law, AFSPA, 1985 is not merely a Nationwide one from all citizens of the country but now it has become an International call.

The people of Manipur as a whole have been demanding repeal of this Act since its enforcement in the State and now the people of India have joined in raising their voice against this Act.

That is why the Government of India as well as the Government of Manipur should repeal this Act immediately without any hesitation in public interest and for the end of justice, Joykumar observed.

It may be mentioned that Prime Minister of India Dr Manmohan Singh had termed AFSPA as 'draconian law', the Review Committee set up by the Government of India and headed by Justice Jeevan Reddy described it as' a tool of discrimination' while the Amnesty International named the Act as 'license to kill'.

The United Nations Human Rights Committee and the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination recommended to the Government of India to repeal/review this very infamous Act.

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