Binalakshmi Nepram Attends United Nations Permanent Forum for Indigenous Issues at UN Headquarters in New York
Date : 9th till 20 May 2016

Manipur’s Daughter, also known as “Face and Voice of Northeast India” and recipient of international Sean Mcbride Peace Prize and CNN IBN Real Heroes Award, Ms Binalakshmi Nepram who is also first Manipuri woman to address the United Nations has left New Delhi for New York to attend the prestigious United Nations Permanent Forum for Indigenous Issues held at United Nations Headquarters in New York currently on from 9th till 20 May 2016.

Ms Nepram is scheduled to speak on the theme of Indigenous People’s Movement including the current issue for indigenous lands protection in Manipur and other parts of India’s Northeast Region, other rights violation which are being done in the region which is home to 272 beautiful indigenous communities and the mitigation that extraordinary indigenous women of Manipur and other Northeast states are engaging to bring peace and reduce conflict.

In a statement issued upon her arrival in New York to attend the prestigious UN forum on Indigenous People’s Issues, Ms Nepram said, “ Indigenous people have suffered from historical injustices and dispossessed of their lands, territories and resources. 90% of India’s Northeast region including Manipur, home to 45 million people belong to indigenous communities. For over 60 years violence, ethnic killings, distrust, imposition of military laws such as AFSPA have marred relations of various indigenous communities in the region.

It is time that we wake up and address our issues collectively including current demands of demilitarizing Manipur and India’s Northeast region, Repeal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act 1958 and protection of Manipur people’s lands and rights. What we are doing is to deepen democracy, ensure prevalence of rule of law and also call upon all ethnic communities to come together and address issues in an inclusive and just manner and advocate and fight for our rights collectively together”

Ms Binalakshmi Nepram

The UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues was established in July 2000 to discuss indigenous issues and later in 2007, United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) was adopted to protect indigenous people living in different parts of the globe. UNDRIP is an important standard for the treatment of indigenous peoples that is a significant tool towards eliminating human rights violations against the planet's 370 million indigenous people and assisting them in combating discrimination,marginalization & gender based violence against indigenous women.

The 15th UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues is currently being held at United Nations Headquarters in New York from 9 to 20 May 2016.Over 1000 indigenous people from all over the world are attending this historic meeting. Ms Nepram is due to host an event and deliver three other speeches while in New York

Contact :
Office of Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network/Northeast India Women Initiative for Peace
Langthabal Mantrikhong,
Imphal West-795003, Manipur,
Northeast India