Newmai News Network Imphal | February 28 Human rights defenders/activists in Manipur have shared on how the situation is becoming very difficult for them to work these days. The activists shared their experiences during a ‘state level meet on the protection of human rights defenders’ at the Manipur Press Club in Imphal today. The event was organized jointly by the Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur (CRAM), Human Rights Initiative (HRI), and Youth Forum for Protection of Human Rights in Manipur (YFPHRM). U Nobokishore, Secretary of the Centre for Social Development (CSD) shared that human rights defenders are increasingly targeted by various agencies for striving for their human rights, for striving to repeal emergency, draconian laws, like the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958. Nobo alleged that human rights defenders and their organizations are threatened and restriction imposed on organizations for highlighting human rights violations in Manipur. Yambem Laba, ex-Member, Manipur Human Rights Commission shared that Manipur experienced human rights violations due to the application of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958. The Manipur Human Rights Commission should be activated to promote human rights in Manipur, he urged. Ph. Deban Sharma, President, All Manipur United Clubs Organization (AMUCO) shared that human rights defenders who resisted State terrorism such as the extra judicial execution of Chungkham Shanjit by Manipur Police commandoes on July 23, 2009 were arbitrarily arrested and detained under the National Security Act, 1980 and the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 1967. The Government has failed to repeal the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958, he added. Ahongsangbam Mobi, President, Editors Guild, Manipur emphasized that the role and importance of human rights defenders in an “armed conflict afflicted Manipur” to end human rights violations and for justice should be recognized. Aram Pamei, Convenor, Peace Core Team, Manipur insisted on recognizing indigenous peoples’ rights to promote the rights over their land and resources. Pamei Tingenlung, Convenor, Committee on the Protection of Natural Resources in Manipur alleged that harassments on the human rights defenders striving for defense of land and natural resources, especially those standing against oil exploration and mega dam constructions also come from various quarters. Phulindro Konsam, Convenor, Committee on Human Rights stated that human rights defenders in armed conflict prone state like Manipur, with ongoing armed conflict situation and heavily militarized regions, are subjected to multiple violations due to promulgation of multiple security laws. The Geneva conventions are blatantly violated in Manipur, he alleged. The participants later adopted resolutions to recognize the importance and legitimacy of the works of human rights’ defenders and ensure their protection and allow them to continue their legitimate human rights work without fear of harassment, torture and deprivation of their right to life. They also adopted for the repeal of “emergency laws”, which impact on the security of innocent people and human rights defenders of Manipur, especially, the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958, Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 1967 and National Security Act, 1980. The participants then resolved to urge the Government of India to fully implement the recommendations of the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defender, Margaret Saggakya during her visit to country visit to India in February 2011. “Establish a policy for the protection of human rights defenders of Manipur with their due consultation in accordance with the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, 1998,” the activists demanded. The Government of India should ratify all human rights conventions, especially the UN Convention against Torture and its Optional Protocol, and fulfill its international human rights obligations and further to implement the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, 2007, they further demanded.
