Dimapur, December 12 (MExN): The Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) hosted its 20th Morung Dialogue on the occasion of International Human Rights Day-December 10 on the theme ‘Recover Better-Stand Up for Human Rights.’
According to a press release from the NPMHR, Delhi, Rev Dr Wati Aier, Convener, Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) and Professor Emeritus, Oriental Theological Seminary, Nagaland, speaker of the event stated that Human Rights Day offered a great opportunity to reclaim the idea from its abstract and cynical categories.
The way to reclaim and rescue the idea of Human Rights, he stated, was to recognize that the effectiveness of rights lies in the context of human relationships and the obligations we have to each other.
The obligation, in the case being discussed, was to pursue a political solution for what is inevitably a political issue. This, he said, would be the honorable and right thing to do.
The FNR Convener in his address said, “Admittedly, the Naga political history is a protracted one. In our long history, various parties, including the Government of India (GoI), have been obstructed by—and have overcome—many hurdles.”
During this process, he said, human temperament and emotions have surged, often to the detriment of all. “We must remain vigilant, however, to never permit these less desirable qualities to engulf the hard-earned relationship that the GoI and Nagas have built. By keeping in mind our common obligations to each other, we also remember our common humanity amidst our differences,” he stated.
While observing that GoI officially signed the Framework Agreement with the NSCN/GPRN and the Agreed Positions with the seven Naga National Political Groups, Dr Wati said, “Given this, it will be futile for the two Naga political groups to undo the other and to keep on mustering the Naga primordial instinct of rightness over the other. The political obligation from the side of the GoI is an achievement that should not be undone.”
“Anger and hate is not a political position,” he stated, and added, “We should express ourselves with genuine constructive criticism, and realize that empty contempt is dangerous.” In this regard, he said, “the rhetoric coming out of the jurisdictional and national disputes is a threat to our common interest.”
“Many conscientious Nagas who are sensitive to our common aspirations have expressed the urgent need to be creatively imaginative,” he maintained.
“These ideas and viewpoints are crucial at the moment,” he asserted while stating, “It is my strong belief that our enlightened Naga minds can be catalysts that will stir our collective consciousness, which will ultimately result in action that is deliberate and impactful. One big task towards this goal is to un-learn certain ingrained myths about our identity, boundaries, and rights that have taken a hold of us on cultural, political, and individual levels.” Earlier, NPMHR, Secretary General, Neingulo Krome delivered the keynote address.
