NSCN (IM) welcomes initiative
DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 21 (MExN): Liberation- an international and inter-connecting organization and one of the oldest human rights body, has expressed deep concern over the growing opposition and continuing protests against the Indo-Naga peace process between the Government of India (GoI) and NSCN (IM) by the neighbouring states.
In a written statement submitted to the Human Rights Council (HRC), United Nations General Assembly recently, Liberation said the Naga peoples´ demand for integration of all Naga inhabited areas and their territories is being vigorously opposed by the Government of Manipur and some sections of the civil society organisations in Manipur, including strong objection to the proposal for one administrative unit for all the Nagas living in the four states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Nagaland, and the GoI´s proposal for special status to the Nagas living in the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Manipur.
It has therefore recommended the HRC to urge the GoI and the negotiating parties to respect democratic processes and the rights of indigenous peoples with particular reference to Article 3 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous.
It recommended that the GoI be urged to welcome third neutral parties, including UN bodies, to aid in expediting the Indo-Naga peace negotiations for bringing an honourable lasting political solution to the protracted Naga political issue.
To send a team of experts to assess the developments surrounding the Indo-Naga peace negotiations and advise the GoI in devising mechanisms around the obstructive forces against the Indo-Naga peace process for ensuring early settlement of the issues involved.
The Liberation has also recommended that the HRC send human rights delegation, including the Special Rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous Peoples to assess the human rights situation in Northeast India to ascertain facts on the ground and to encourage and/or initiate dialogue among the communities in the region based on universally accepted standards and principles.
It may be mentioned that Liberation, one of the oldest human rights organisations, was founded in 1954 as the Movement for Colonial Freedom. For more than half a century it has campaigned, alongside other anti-imperialist forces, to rid the world of colonialism.
As an international and inter-connecting organisation, Liberation engages in advocacy work, supporting and standing in solidarity with other like-minded organisations.
Liberation provides a space and framework to highlight and discuss issues of concern with the United Nations, the British Parliament, the International Labour Organisation and Trade Unions.
Meanwhile, the NSCN (IM) has acknowledged the memorandum “Protection of Indigenous Peoples’ Rights vis-à-vis the Ongoing Indo-Naga Peace Talks” submitted to the United Nations General Assembly by the Liberation, a non-governmental organization on September 3, 2018 on their own volition which urged both the United Nations and the Government of India to expedite the Indo-Naga peace talk.
The NSCN (IM) through its MIP said it is pleased to welcome such initiative taken by some well wishers of the Nagas that raised our issue at the international level.
