Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur (CRAM) urgently demanded the recognition of fundamental rights and safeguarding the lives and security of Manipur’s populace during the ongoing 23rd Session of the United Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) convened at the United Nations Headquarters, New York City, commencing on April 15 and extending till Friday.
In the session convened on April 18, CRAM Secretary Jiten Yumnam, intervening under agenda item 5(a), directed the attention of UNPFII towards the persistent conflict situation in Manipur, advocating for the assurance of fundamental rights and security of the indigenous people of the state, as articulated in a release on Tuesday.
He also expressed apprehension regarding the protracted enforcement of emergency legislation, namely the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958, as an element of India’s militaristic responses to the self-determination movement, which has been linked to intense militarization and human rights infringements, particularly extrajudicial executions in Manipur.
He indicated that the aftermath of the conflict between two prominent communities since May 3, 2023, has exacerbated militarization in Manipur and associated human rights violations, underscoring that numerous women and youths are purportedly subjected to arbitrary detention, physical assaults, etc., resulting in loss of lives. He further added that displaced victims of the conflict continue to endure insufficient rehabilitation, resettlement, and essential survival assistance.
He implored UNPFII to advocate for urgent measures by the Government of India to curb violence in Manipur, foster indigenous peace and reconciliation among communities, expeditiously rehabilitate and resettle all those displaced by the conflict, protect the fundamental rights, lives, and security of all indigenous people, halt all human rights violations, including the criminalization of youths and women, and ensure accountability for all security forces involved in violations.
It also beseeched PFII to recommend the repeal of the AFSPA, 1958, enforced in Manipur as suggested by UN human rights bodies, halt militarization and rights violations, and address the armed conflict in Manipur with recognition of indigenous self-determination rights as per the UN Declaration on Indigenous Peoples Rights and other international laws.
