SIPHRO condemns State's atrocities against dam-protesters in AP
- Sinlung Indigenous Peoples Human Rights Organisation -

May 28, 2010

SINLUNG INDIGENOUS PEOPLES HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANISATION
Truth, Justice and Peace
Website: www.siphro.org;
Email: [email protected]

PRESS RELEASE
May 28, 2010

Sinlung Indigenous Peoples Human Rights Organisation (SIPHRO) strongly condemns the violent atrocities of the State’s forces on May 26, 2010 against the democratic voices of the indigenous communities to protest against a series of issues arising out of the 2700 MW Lower Siang Hydro Electric Project and its developer JP Associates in Pangin under Pasighat of East Siang district in Arunachal Pradesh.

SIPHRO demands that a free and fair Judicial Inquiry Commission be instituted by the Arunachal Pradesh government to look into the incident and take concrete action against the officials responsible for the atrocities perpetuated on the indigenous communities.

SIPHRO is against any proposed Mega Dams, including Tipaimukh Dam project in Manipur, Siang Dams in Arunachal Pradesh, etc that are being pushed through against the will, consents and aspirations of the directly and indirectly affected peoples.

SIPHRO also demands that the Government of India, State Governments, Corporates and Financial Institutions:
1. Adopt human rights-based approach to development based on respect of indigenous peoples rights enshrined in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
2. Implement the recommendations of the Committee on Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination in 2007.
3. Revoke all agreements signed for construction of Mega Dams in NE Region, all of which have been done without the knowledge and consent of the indigenous peoples.
4. Enforce a moratorium on all new Hydro-electric projects in the NE Region till the ongoing and existing projects are reviewed of its respect for Indigenous peoples’ rights, its techno-socio-economic efficiency and environmental sustainability.
5. Stop all forms of militarization in the NE region to enforce destructive Mega projects.
6. Full implementation of the recommendations of World Commission on Dams, 2000 in its entirety.
7. Protect the rights of dam activists as human rights defenders as enshrined in the UN Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.

Sd/-
(LALREMLIEN NEITHAM)
Secretary, SIPHRO