Human Rights Day is observed every year on 10 December — the day the United Nations General Assembly adopted, in 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). ‘All Human, All Equal’ is the core of this year’s theme, “Equality – Reducing inequalities, advancing human rights”.
TFM Desk
The proscribed umbrella outfit Coordination Committee (CorCom) greeted the people of the state on the occasion of the 73rd International Human Rights Day. ‘All Human, All Equal’ is the core of this year’s theme, “Equality – Reducing inequalities, advancing human rights”.
Human Rights Day is observed every year on 10 December — the day the United Nations General Assembly adopted, in 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The UDHR is a milestone document, which proclaims the inalienable rights that everyone is entitled to as a human being — regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.
The occasion has reminded the people of the state who have been “oppressed” by India, making the people unable to dream for “equality”, stated a release by the Publicity Committee of CorCom.
Although India annexed the once independent and jewel of WESEA, Manipur in 1949, Manipur (Kangleipak) used to be a democratic country between 1947 and 1949.
The annexation of Manipur defied Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), 1948, which stated that ‘All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.’ This year’s theme and the core of UDHR are significant with regard to the present situations of Manipur, it said.
CorCom also maintained that efforts have been made to weaken the once strong bonds between different communities. But the attempt to “Balkanization” has been resisted and so far the communities have been successful in escaping from such design, it added.
This year’s emphasis on equality has rekindled the ‘Right to Self Determination (RSD)’ of the indigenous people, CorCom said, adding, it is also one of the most important goals to be achieved under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 — ‘Leaving No One Behind: Equality and Non-Discrimination’.
UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), 2007 clearly emphasizes on the preservation of indigenous peoples, CorCom maintained, while accusing Government of India of trying to eradicate the indigenous populace of WESEA by settling the “outsiders” after declaring that all the people of India are indigenous. Yet, being a signatory of UNDRIP, India has not recognised indigenous people in its constitution, it added.
CorCom further slammed the GoI for its effort to brand the movement to regain the lost independence of Manipur (Kangleipak) as “terrorism”. The United Nations Charter and International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), 1966, recognised RSD as the ‘Right of all Peoples’. As per Article 1 of ICCPR, ‘All Peoples have the Right of Self-Determination. By virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development’. India ratified ICCPR on April 10, 1979, it added.
Stating that the countries that became independent after World War II as per the RSD, CorCom asserted that India, which is a signatory of the UN Charter, should abide by the international convention on RSD. From time to time, the United Nations has been apprised about Manipur (Kangleipak) and Jammu & Kashmir, it added.
“In order to subside the RSD, India has devised “Internal and External Self-Determination”, and moreover, the issue of Manipur regaining Independence has been reduced to Law and Order problem.”
Stating that many people of the land have lost lives as a result of the “conflict” between India and Manipur (Kangleipak), CorCom maintained that the Supreme Court of India has not been able to give justice on the 1,528 fake encounter cases.
In its report, in the Universal Periodic Review at the UN in 2017, India admitted that the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 was imposed in specific places like Manipur. This proves that martial law has been in place in WESEA, including Manipur, since 1958, denying the ‘Basic Fundamental Rights’ provided to the people living in other parts of the country, it added.
CorCom further asserted that the state government continues to curb the freedom of speech and expression by slapping charges under the National Security Act (NSA) and the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), 1964 to all those who stands for Manipur (Kangleipak) including intellectuals, journalists, and common people.
Stating that efforts have been made to show to the world that those who are waging war to regain the lost independence of Manipur as “terrorists”, CorCom asserted that there is a need to inform the world of the atrocities meted out against the women and killings of youths.
CorCom also maintained that “black laws” have been imposed to oppress the people and to suppress the revolutionary movement to regain independence. Despite several instances of Indian security forces’ excesses under these laws, instead of punishing them, it empowered them. Yet, India continues to claim that it is the torchbearer on human rights protection, it added.
Despite knowing that AFSPA violates Article 13 of the Indian Constitution, CorCom said that the Supreme Court had allegedly observed that the Union Legislature (Parliament) could make such laws. This is a clear example of violating the right to life of the people of WESEA. Imposing such black laws, favoring the Indian security forces and ignoring the people, AFSPA has been imposed so that security forces could do anything, it added.
Stating that India won’t easily give independence, CorCom maintained that there is a need to continue the movement to regain independence with the support of the people.
As the UN also allows the RSD to form a government that is suitable for the land, CorCom urged the people to unitedly strive for an independent and self-reliant Manipur.