Imphal, December 10 2009: As observed across the world, the International Human Rights Day was observed today at different places in Manipur too.

The day is being observed in commemoration of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights announced by the United Nations on December 10, 1948 .

The Manipur Human Rights Commission, the All Manipur Bar Association (AMBA) and the Human Rights Initiative (HRI) jointly observed International Human Rights Day at State Guest House.

The observance was graced by MHRC member Ng Nongyai and AMBA president S Brajabihari as chief guest and president respectively.

Speaking at the occasion, Ng Nongyai observed that the people of North East India are being denied several rights guaranteed by the United Nations.

Even as they are citizens of a democratic country, they could not enjoy several rights entitled to citizens of democratic countries, Nongyai noted.

As a part of the International Human Rights observance, a panel discussion on the topic 'Human Rights Issues in Encounter Deaths' was also held.

HRI executive director gave a background note before commencement of the panel discussion which was moderated by retired District and Sessions Judge C Upendra.

Taking part in the panel discussion, Advocate Khaidem Mani noted that incidents of human rights violations have become too frequent in Manipur.

He asserted that both State and non-State actors should respect the Article III of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The two parties should uphold the rights guaranteed by this UN declaration.

UCM president Yumnamcha Dilipkumar observed that absence of proper investigation into any of the numerous cases of fake encounters and acceptance of ex-gratia as compensation for extra-judicial killings proved to be indirectly encouraging those security personnel indulging in fake encounters.

"As long as we continue with this trend, we would be witnessing more and more fake encounters", Dilipkumar said.

The International Human Rights Day was also observed by MPP at its office near Mapal Kangjeibung.

MPP president Dr Nimaichand Luwang, general secretary (administration) N Sanajaoba, ex-MLA and auditor N Subhakiran, former Speaker Dhananjoy and Y Iboyaima attended the observance as presidium members.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Nimaichand asserted that non-observation of the Human Rights Day by other political parties in Manipur where human rights is a big issue indicated that other political parties were little concerned with the issue and that they did not identify the misery of the common people.

MPP was observing the International Human Rights Day as it understood the serious issue of human rights violation in the State.

The party observed the day to show solidarity to the suffering mass.

Other parties not observing Human Rights Day only exposed their lack of concern for the people, Dr Nimaichand Luwang alleged.

The increased cases of human rights violation by security forces and the heightened level of corruption was because of SPF Govt's tacit support.

Former Speaker Sapam Dhananjoy who joined MPP lately asserted that cases of human rights violation by security forces was highest during the tenure of the incumbent SPF Government.

He iterated that people need to understand how to fight human rights violation with the help of law.

Dhananjoy further expressed his desire for human right activists to take more proactive role in creating legal awareness among the public.

Earlier giving keynote address of the observance, MPP treasurer Umakanta decried the evolving trend killing people at one's own sweet will as if human lives in the State are of little value.

MPP observed the International Human Rights Day with the objective to check to some extent the practice of killing people by security forces as and when they wish with total impunity as well to bring peace in the State, Umakanta said.

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