‘Nagas need to programme vigorous defense and promotion of human rights’

Kohima, December 10 (MExN): Nagaland Voluntary Consumers’ Organisation (NVCO) observed the International Human Rights Day in Kohima on December 10.  

Speaking on the occasion, NVCO President, Kezhokhoto Savi said that human rights are natural rights meaning they are not earned and cannot be denied on the basis of race, creed, ethnicity or gender.  

“The Government of Nagaland is yet to constitute State Human Rights Commission which itself is amounting to serious human rights violation. Slavery, poverty, physical torture, destruction of property, killing, hunger, sex exploitation, forced labour, child labour, commercial sex exploitation, illiteracy, etc. are against human rights,” he stated.  

Pointing out that as indigenous people of the land, Article 371A of the Constitution of India provides a special provision to the Naga people to protect their own way of life, its land and resources, Savi added, “various Naga tribal councils and organisations raising strong voices against certain notified community as an indigenous tribe of Nagaland is simply a demand to protect the rights of indigenous people as indigenous inhabitants of Nagaland.”  

Savi also maintained that a major theme of the human rights discourse is the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act widely seen in the state as draconian.  

NVCO Press & Media cell in a press release said that in observance of the International Human Rights Day, Savi reaffirmed, “We (Nagas) need to programme a vigorous defense and promotion of human rights. The churches, educational institutions and colleges are to play an active role in promoting peace, justice and social transformation.”



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