Mail News Service
Imphal, Apr 6: A State level Convention on UN response AFSPA and related issues organised by the Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights in Manipur and the UN, held on 06th April 2012 at Manipur Press Club, Majorkhul, Imphal, Manipur discussed the recent developments arising from visits to India of the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, Mrs. Margaret Sekaggya and her final report at the 19th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council on 5th March 2012; and the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Mr. Christof Heyns and his general comments, conclusions and preliminary recommendations on 30th March 2012.
The delegates of the Convention welcomed the general comments, conclusions and preliminary recommendations of the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Mr. Christof Heyns; final report of the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, Mrs. Margaret Sekaggya and her final report.
It took note of the remarks made by the Union Minister of Home Affairs, Mr. P. Chidambaram during his monthly report on 31st March 2012 and strongly reiterated and supported the stand of the people of Manipur for the repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act of 1958.
It applauded the 11 years long struggle of Nura Temsingnabi Irom Chanu Sharmila for the repeal of AFSPA 1958 and to end the summary or arbitrary killings in Manipur;
It concluded that the situation in Manipur arised from the Manipur people’s struggle for their right to self-determination, endorsed by the Human Rights Committee in 1997 and also by the Special Rapporteur of Human Rights Defenders.
It concluded further that a situation of armed conflict existed in Manipur since the 50s, and that international humanitarian law is applicable to this situation, which is also supported by the Special Rapporteur of extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions;
It recognised that the Manipur peoples’ movement for self-determination and human rights continues to this day with the inclusion of all the people and this movement needs to be strengthened further;
It resolved to further the Peoples’ Campaign to Repeal the AFSPA 1958 by fully supporting the organisation of a Manipur National Convention to consider the present situation of armed conflict and international human rights and humanitarian law violations in Manipur, and take up necessary steps and actions to Repeal AFSPA 1958 and advance the agenda for a peaceful political solution to the situation according to Dr Debabrata Laifungbam, Convenor. It decided to compile and publish reports related to UN officials’ visit to north east.
The convention followed after US special rapporteur statement regarding the withdrawal of the act from Manipur. Phunindro Konsam and convenor of the collision Debabrata Laiphungbam were the moderator of the discussion. The meeting decided joint effort of organizations operating in valley and hills to repeal the act, to collect crimes, killings under the act and publish as books.
Retd. Judge C. Upendra said, it is shameful on the part of India govt. as the act was forcibly in force although UN special rapporteur and various countries pressurized to repeal the act in a democratic country.
Mani said, withdrawal of AFSPA is closely related to the agitation launched by Sharmila.
The issue should be politicalized. The former member of Manipur Human Rights commission RK Rajendro, Laba, Babloo and legal experts took part in the one day discussion.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/convention-held-to-discuss-un-response-on-afspa/
