The International Day in Support of Victims of Torture
- HRI (Human Rights Initiative) -

26 June 2010, Imphal

Human Rights Initiative (HRI) organized a consultative discussion on Torture on Petitioners and Witnesses of Human Rights Violations in Manipur in observance of the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture on the 26 June 2010 at the office building of HRI, Wangkhei Thangapat Mapan, Imphal. About 45 participants from lawyers, civil society workers, journalists, victims/families and other citizens concerned took part in the discussions. There was also an active involvement from a good balance of women participation.

The program started at 1:30 pm as Mr. Khaidem Mani took the chair of moderator. After the key note address delivered by the Lc. Jinine Meetei, Executive Director, HRI the discussion was opened. The key note address mentioned the significance of the UN torture day which began in 1997 marking the 26 June 1987 the day Convention against Torture entered into force. The prevailing torture in the conflict environment of Manipur, the irresponsibility of the government of India towards the judicial commitment and need of the collective afford of lawyers, civil society workers, etc were also pointed out in the note.

The profound vulneribility to the witnesses and victim families of human rights violations in Manipur and other real challenges caused by the security forces were demonstrated in the discussion. The lawyers gave their opinion and knowledge regarding the use of the judicial domain to fight this type of human rights violations. By sharing their own experience and testimonies of torture by security forces other personalities from civil society and media indicated the judicial limitations of the country. The majority of the assemble showed the deep concern about the long term mechanism which need to address the root cause of the existing conflict.

Advocate P. Tomcha, M Paikhomba,. L Rebeka Chanu, Sumitra Kamei, Khoirom Loyalakpa – Editor - Naharolgi Thoudang, Ringku Khumukcham - Editor - ISTV English News, L. Sarat - ex MLA, Prof L. Sadananda, Dr. Dhanabir Laishram, Johnson Elangbam – IPSA, Jiten Yumnam – environment activist, Th. Manihar - MAPI Council, Oinam Bikramjit – UPF, Karam Sunil – NIPCO and others participants contributed usable opinion.

The discussion also adopted the following resolution

1. The Government of India should ratify UN Convention against Torture other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment and Punishment. Its domestic bill on Prevention of Torture is deficient which needs to be replaced with standard model (contents) proposed by the Human Rights bodies.

2. For enabling to bring the durable solution to the issue, the Central Government of India and its provincial Government of Manipur should address the root causes namely armed conflict and to initiate confidence building measures namely repeal the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 and demilitarize the area in order to have productive political dialogue.

3. Legal Fraternity, NGOs, Civil Societies, Human Rights Commission, and other Volunteer Groups extend concern and assistance to the issue, the victims and work on preventing torture.

In Solidarity
Satyabati Sanasam
Administrator