DIMAPUR, DEC 9 (MExN): The NPMHR which is itself into its 28th year since it came into existence in 1978 laid out its priority areas seeking to work on the larger agenda of addressing abuse of Human rights in the context of the ‘war on terror’; Building peace and defending human rights in armed conflict; protecting human rights defenders; reforming and strengthening justice sector; Ending violence against women and advancement of the youth, protection of the aged and children.
“The primacy of the rule of law, the prevention of human rights violations and the prevention of crimes are major, integral elements of democracy which should be strengthened especially in a transitional society to build justice. We commit to fight against destruction of environment, cultural oppression and inequality”, a press communiqué issued by the NPMHR Secretariat stated on the occasion of the international human rights day.
While acknowledging its shares of failure as it moves forward into the 28th year of Human rights movement, the statement also thanked the Naga public for their continued support and pledged that it would recommit to work towards the collective goal of the people for a society where human rights is promoted and respected and wherein justice, peace and freedom triumphs.
Reminding that NPMHR was formed with its 11 point declaration on 9th September 1978 based on the universal believe that “violation of human rights in any part of the world is a threat to the human race as a whole and protection and promotion of human rights anywhere is a concern for all”, the signatories stated that the formation of NPMHR was necessitated by the massive violations and suppression of human rights, in the midst of the political conflict between the Naga Resistance Movement on the one hand and the Indian and the Burmese state on the other hand.
“It was a period when the people in India were suffering immensely under state suppression in the form of national emergency; and a general awareness of human and democratic rights was being created and debated upon. It was in this atmosphere that many people in the sub-continent began to receive the Naga opinion with an open mind, during which NPMHR was formed after much debate and discussion by a group of Naga Students in Delhi as an attempt to give an organized expression to the Naga peoples fight for their right”, NPMHR stated.
On the Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) and State terrorism NPMHR stated that it would continue to campaign for the removal of the Act from the statute books, as this legislation forms part of the oppressive military structure which breeds violence, intolerance and terrorism.
Pointing to an earlier incident involving Luigam Luithui one of the founding members of NPMHR who is also the first NPMHR member living in exile, holding a political refugee status, the statement alleged that Luithui’s passport had been impounded by the Government of India while in Canada in 1995, describing it as a blatant infringement of the basic fundamental right and freedom and a deliberate attempt to restrict his freedom of movement posing grave threat to all human rights defenders around the world. NPMHR has demanded the Government of India to do justice on the passport impoundment case of Luigam Luithui.
