RPF calls for stronger movement

Imphal, December 08 2009: Pointing out the ineffectiveness of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights made by the United Nations on December 10, 1948, in Manipur, the anniversary of which is observed as International Human Rights Day every year across the world, the Revolutionary People's Front has called upon the people of Manipur to launch a stronger and more determined movement to secure collective rights of the people and also the right to self determination, guaranteed by the same declaration.

A statement issued by the RPF's Publicity Secretary T Leisemba asserted that in a place like Manipur reeling under alien rule, both armed and unarmed movements are necessary to secure the rights of the subjugated people.

In general, each country guarantees certain rights in addition to the rights guaranteed by the UN to peoples of its member countries so that peoples can live freely and stride towards collective development.

Moreover, there are two generally accepted concepts known as international human rights and international humanitarian laws which are closely inter-linked.

These two concepts were clearly defined by the Geneva Convention and other additional protocols.

As the liberation movement of Manipur is very much active, the people of Manipur need protection under both the national laws and international laws.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the national laws of each country guarantee several rights to the people which are broadly classified as individual and collective rights.

Individual rights encompass right to free movement, settlement, right to speech, right to form associations, right to equality, right to education, freedom of professing religion of one's choice, freedom from exploitation etc.

But in Manipur which is allegedly reeling under alien rule, all these beautiful provisions and clauses are meaningless.

There is no let up in fake encounters even in public places in broad daylight in this land where many draconian laws like the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act are in force.

Because of these reasons, the people of Manipur need to make stronger vows and take firmer positions every time they observe December 10 (International Human Rights Day).

Only then, the road to securing the rights guaranteed by the UN can be shortened.

As political and economic freedom can be achieved only when the Nation gains sovereignty, development pace can also be accelerated when sovereignty is realised.

This is supported by the UN General Assembly Declaration of 1948 and ICESCR and ICCPR Covenants of 1966 .

The same declaration was incorporated in the UN General Assembly Resolution 2200 A (XXII) passed in December 16, 1966 .

Compelled by this resolution, Indian Parliament passed the Human Rights Bill but much later on December 22, 1993 paving way for establishment of human rights commission in the country.

After a prolonged delay, the Government of India ratified the international convention against terror under cruel inhuman or degrading punishment on October 14, 1997 .

Even as India is also a signatory to most international covenants for safeguarding human rights, all kinds of human rights violations are being witnessed in Manipur, the outfit alleged.

Conveniently overlooking the fact that wars too have rules and limits, security forces have been acting as instruments of fake encounters, rape, involuntary disappearance, torture and detention of even aged democratic protesters under NSA.

The Government of India has also been persistently scheming to project the liberation movement of Manipuri people as terrorism, the outfit asserted.

Nevertheless, the liberation movement would rage on without any interruption because the origin and cause of the liberation movement is accepted by international laws and supported by the international community, the RPF claimed.

It further asserted that the liberation movement of Manipur is a political struggle based on clear ideology besides enjoying mass base.

At present, AFSPA is not enforced in some segments of Imphal but more people are killed in these areas.

This means the foremost priority is complete independence.

Only a forceful and massive movement can secure sovereignty of Manipur otherwise all international laws and rights will remain useless documents for the Manipuri Nation, the RPF asserted.