CSCHR tips off to invoke UN over blockade

Civil Society Coalitions on Human Rights in Manipur and UN (CSCHR) presage to invoke the international rights bodies and the UN if the central government and state government fails to stop the ongoing economic blockade.
Human rights activist Babloo Loitongbam who is also a member of the coalition said imposition of blockade in the state is disrespect of the human rights and against the international human right norms, and the government is responsible to safeguard the rights of the people. It is their profound duty to seek intervention of international bodies like UN over the endless blockade in the state. If the government fails to take up measures to end up the indefinite economic blockade the coalition is ready to invoke UN for intervention. A draft is under preparation for the purpose, added Babloo.
The indefinite economic blockade imposed by the United Naga Council in Manipur has completed 73 days which has resulted to rising tension among the communities in the state.
Babloo was talking to the reporters at Manipur Press Club here at the releasing function of “Broken Promises and Abdicated Obligations”—a report by CSCHR on the human rights status in Manipur submitted on September 22, 2016 to the UN’s High Commissioner for Human Rights. The report was submitted for consideration during the examination of India in the 3rd Cycle Universal Periodic Review (UPR), Human Rights Council, United Nations.
CSCHR is a constituent of 16 stakeholders including rights bodies and research organisations. It blames that India has failed to realise its guarantee under Article 253 of its constitution in fulfilling the international human rights obligations.
The report sought the Human Rights Council’s attention on serious violation of civil and political rights under a repressive de facto military regime and the state of emergency that has existed since the 50’s. The CSCHR has also informed the UN about the serious challenges confronting the indigenous peoples of Manipur due to the state sponsored infusion of outsiders and migrants into the state.
The report listed 16 recommendations which were submitted to be made to the government of India and its union. The recommendations highlighted that the government of India should respect the people’s rights to self determination as par the General Assembly Resolution 1514 and seek a political solution to the ongoing armed conflict in Manipur. It also mentioned to repeal the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 as recommended by previous UPR working group.