Opinion Poll

‘Human Rights NOW’

A campaign for reinstitution of Manipur State Human Rights Commission (MHRC)

Background:

The Manipur State Human Rights Commission (MHRC) was instituted on June 27. 1998 under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. In spite of various shortcomings like poor infrastructure, manpower, finance, etc, the commission functioned for two terms delivering justice to hundreds whose rights were being violated in the state. 

Following retirement of the Chairperson, MHRC, on May 9. 2010 the commission became defunct. Taking serious cognizance of the state Government’s negligence of MHRC, the Human Rights Law Network (HRLN) filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Guwahati High Court. In response, the state Government was directed to appoint members of the commission without delay. Failing to comply with the court’s directive, a contempt notice was served to the state Government. In response, the state Government requested for more time- a six month’s extension (till 20^th September 2012) from the date of the notice or till a new Government is formed.

After the tenth state assembly election results were declared on March 6. 2012 a new Government is already in place however, there are no signs yet of the Government initiating steps to reinstitute MHRC. Is the Government going to wait for the September dateline and yet again come up with another excuse?

‘Human Rights NOW’ is a campaign that builds on the initiatives already taken up by various civil society and human rights organizations in the state for a collective appeal to the state Government to reinstitute MHRC. Apathy of the state Government towards promotion of human rights values and improving human rights conditions in Manipur continues as has been lucidly brought out by priority accorded to other areas thus compromising rights issues in the state.

The theme ‘Human Rights NOW’ takes the view that human rights in the state continues to be blatantly violated and therefore, the people of Manipur demand prompt actions from the state Government to reinstitute the commission without any further delay or waiting for the deadline.

‘Human Rights NOW’ will appeal the state Government with cooperation from individuals and various stakeholders representing a cross-section of communities in Manipur.

Formation of a Consultant Group on Reinstituting Manipur Human Rights Commission (CGReMHRC) comprising Human Rights Alert (HRA), Centre for Organisation Research and Education (CORE), Human Rights Law Network (HRLN), Kuki Women Union (KWU), Community Network for Empowerment (CoNE) and the All Manipur Bar Association (AMBA) is the first step towards this initiative.

The group will initiate signature campaign, hold series of consultations, mobilize opinions of academicians, grassroots leaders, legal experts and voices of most affected sections of society. The group will also hold a state level convention and submit a memorandum to the Government and authorities concerned to reinstitute a strong, accountable and transparent Manipur Human Rights Commission without further delay.

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1 Violations include enforced disappearance, arbitrary detention, custodial death, extrajudicial detention, torture, rape, etc. including harassment and rights violation of marginalized communities like people who use drugs, PLHIV, sex workers and Nupi manbi

2 It may be noted that in spite of the retirement of the Chairperson along with all its members on 9^th May, 2010, only the post of the Chairperson is officially vacant as per the current NHRC website nor does NHRC correct the anomaly even after a reminder by CORE.

3 PIL No. 15 of 2011 was filed by Shri. Chaoba Takhenchangbam of Brahmapur Mangzil Mamang, Kongba Road, Imphal, with support from HRLN before the Guwahati High Court demanding reinstitution of Manipur SHRC. Earlier, PIL No. 5 of 2005 was already filed for the same purpose....

4 Division Bench of the Guwahati High Court directed the state Government of Manipur that Manipur SHRC should be made functional within four months of the directive, i.e., between 19^thOctober, 2011 (which is the date of the directive) and 19^th February, 2012.

Q.A.   Since May 2010 MHRC remained non-functional. What does it tell about the state Government and human rights issues in the state?

Q.B.   What aspects (critical areas) of human rights are being affected/ denied /violated by the presence of a non-functional SHRC in Manipur? List.

Q.C.  How can we have a strong SHRC in the state?

Q.D. Who do you think, among the known human rights, social, legal, NGOs/CBOs activists, is a potential candidate for the post of Chairperson and members of SHRC?