Dimapur, March 31 (MExN): The Global Naga Forum group has submitted an appeal to the Chief Minister of Nagaland to give humanitarian aid to the Myanmar refugees, among whom are Nagas, who are fleeing the military junta and are in desperate need of food, shelter, and safety.
In the letter which was released to the media on Wednesday, the GNF stated that it has been following the flow and the plight of refugees at the Myanmar/Northeast border since the turn of events in Myanmar began in mid-February. “Myanmar citizens who participated in the Civil Disobedience Movement for restoration of democracy are being forced to flee their country because they face a minimum of ten years imprisonment or the death penalty. Among those wanted for such cruel and inhuman punishment are Nagas, including elected Naga members of parliament, who are forced to hide in the jungles,” it stated.
“During times of desperation like they are in now, we don’t need to recite the historical and cultural reasons to help fellow Nagas in solidarity, as well as other refugees. Not to come to their aid would be simply unconscionable on the part of any government on the Indo-Myanmar border,” it added.
The GNF further stated that “The inaction of the Indian government in this case is painful and inhumane,” while adding that political relation with another country is one thing and humanitarian obligation to people fleeing for their lives is quite another.
It said that though India may not be a signatory to the 1951 UN Convention on Refugees, as a signatory to UN treaties on human rights, “it has the moral and international civic obligation to respect and protect the human rights of people confronted with torture and cruel and inhuman treatment for political reasons.”
Further citing the decision of the Mizoram government to provide temporary shelter to the refugees at its border, the GNF stated that “This is what self-respecting, responsible governments do in civilized societies of the world.”
As such, in light of UN sanctioned human rights, which are consonant with provisions in the Indian constitution, as well as the “non-refoulement” provision under international refugee law, the GNF urged the Nagaland Government to facilitate the safety of refugees from Myanmar at the border by providing temporary refuge on humanitarian grounds.
