Dimapur, October 15 (MExN): The Naga Peoples’ Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR, South Sector) organized a one day “Human Rights Conference on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples” on October 13 at Ukhrul. The conference deliberated on the significance of the declaration, the concept and definition of indigenous peoples and the right of self-determination. It was attended by the traditional/social organisations, Churches, NGOs, institutions, intellectuals and individuals. The conference reaffirmed the declaration and stand taken by the Naga people during the “Naga Week” in 1993 as one of the indigenous peoples of the world on the occasion of the “International Year of the World’s Indigenous Peoples”.
The key resource person was Gam A. Shimray, a member of NPMHR and a research fellow at Kimmage Development Studies Center, Dublin, Ireland besides other speakers. Phamhring Anal, Convenor, NPMHR South Sector officially released the translated Tangkhul version of a booklet titled “Universal Declaration of Human Rights” – A Human Rights Education Series (I) during the conference. The Convenor also updated the participants on the activities of the organization and appealed to the Naga community for support and cooperation.
In a press communiqué by Alung Rungsung, Ukhrul Coordinator of NPMHR stated that ‘It is in this light that the conference acknowledged the significant achievement made by the indigenous peoples of the world. This declaration also has come at a crucial time for the Naga people in their struggle to determine their own future. Hence, the conference decided to further propagate our right of self-determination and call upon the international community to firmly stand by their commitment and work towards the early realization of the declaration world over’. The statement added that ‘the international community also has moral responsibility in playing a proactive role in bringing about a just and honourable solution to the current Indo-Naga peace talks’.
The NPMHR extended its solidarity to the peoples of Burma in their struggle for restoration of Democracy and call upon the junta to resolve the long pending issue in a democratic and peaceful way.
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