PETITION FOR THE RELEASE OF ARRESTED ACTIVISTS IN MANIPUR, INDIA To MR. Manmohan Singh Prime Minister of India South Block Raisina Hill, New Delhi India Fax: +91-11-23019545/ 23016857 Mr. Okram Ibobi, Chief Minister & Home Minister of Manipur, Chief Minister's secretariat Babupara, Imphal 795001 Manipur INDIA, Tel: +91 385 2221833, 2220137 (O); 2220136, 2222683 (R) Fax: + 91 385 2221817, Email: [email protected] Pratibha Patil Devi, President, Office of the President, Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi, 110004 INDIA Tel: +91 11 3016767 (Joint Secretary), 3014507 (Personal Secretary), Fax: +91 11 3017290, 3014570E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected] Chairperson, National Human Rights Commission of India Faridkot House, Copernicus Marg New Delhi-110001 INDIA Tel: +91 11 23074448, Fax: +91 11 2334 0016E-mail: mailto: [email protected] Mr. Chidambaram, Honorable Ministry of Home Affairs, Griha Mantralaya Room No. 104, North Block Central Secretariat, New Delhi 110001 INDIA Fax: +91 11 2301 5750, 2309 3750, 2309 2763 Email: websitemhaweb@ mha.nic.in Chairperson Manipur State Human Rights Commission Room No. VIP-II, State Guest House Sanjenthong, Imphal-795001 Manipur INDIA Tel: +91 385 2410473 (O) / 2447438 (R), Telefax: +91 385 2410472E-mail: [email protected] It has come to our knowledge that seven known activists of United Manipur Club Organisation (AMUCO) and an eco-activist Jiten Yumnam were arrested on 14th September by the combined team of Imphal West Police Commandos and the Singjamei Police. Adding to that is the earlier arrest and detention of 2 Apunba Lup Leaders, Mr. Oinam Bikramjit and Ms. Mutum Ongbi Ebemhal. We are deeply concerned by arrests and detention taking place in the state of Manipur following the anger and protest by mass-based organizations over the broad daylight killing with impunity of Mr. Chungkham Sanjit (27), S/o, Chungkham Khellen of Khurai Kongba Sajor Leikai and a pregnant woman Ms. Thockchom Rebina (23), W/o Thockchom Chinglensana of Lamsang, Imphal West. This gruesome murder done with impunity, as you are aware, has been covered visually by the well-reputed national newsmagazine, TEHELKA that generated serious concerns from the larger society in India as well as from the international community including the human rights mechanisms of the United Nations. The outcry and actions of the local people were in line with the exercise of the people’s fundamental rights and freedoms, guaranteed by international human rights instruments. Being a democratic country, we expect the authorities of India to deal with such cases in a fair and just manner, and to ensure that such actions done with impunity will not happen again. However, we are deeply saddened by consequent response by the Indian government to resort to political repression through arbitrary arrests and detention of activists. We strongly believe that the arbitrary arrests and detention of activists named below and the charges hurled against them are in violation to the international human rights obligation of the government of India, particularly relating to the Covenant of Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) that the government of India has ratified. 1. Likmabam Tompok (50) s/o late Gouramani of Maklang Mayai Leikai, 2. Th Dinesh (39) s/o Gambhir of Sega Road Takhellambam Leikai, 3. Irom Brojen (40) s/o Gouramani of Haorang Khunou, 4. Samjetshabam Nando (48) s/o Gouragopal of Pangei Awang Leikai, 5. Chung- shel Koireng (39) s/o Chungshel Mongsho of Thang- meiband Koireng Khul, 6. Amom Soken (41) s/o Kanhai of Wangoo Tera, 7. Taorem Ramananda (50) s/o Dhananjoy of Patsoi Part II, and 8. Yumnam Jiten (32) s/o late Achou of Kwakeithel Mayai Koibi 9. Mr. Oinam Bikramjit from Oinam Mamang Leikai, Bishnupur District. Mr. Bikramjit is also the president of the United Peoples Front (UPF), Manipur 10. Ms. Mutum Ongbi Ebemhal, 70 of Uripok Sorbon Thingel, Imphal West District Manipur This is a matter of serious concern as more leaders and activists are being targeted and being hunted down. This will further enrage the general public and intensify the conflict and the government is clearly responsible for the situation in this case. We the undersigned civil society organizations and concerned individuals appeal to your good office to intervene and uphold the fundamental rights and freedoms of your citizens based on the state's human rights obligations under international laws, and safeguarding democratic principles and values. We highly value your position and capacity to address the situation in Manipur in facilitating justice, peace and security, consistent with human rights principles. With great sense of urgency, we urge your intervention and address our following demands: • To drop the charges made to those arrested as these are in violation to the human rights obligations of the government of India to the international community and facilitate their immediate and unconditional release from detention. • To facilitate their medical check-up to determine if they were subjected to torture. If this is the case, those involved shall be dealt with accordingly in the interest of justice for the victims. • To ensure the safety of those arrested, their families, and also their colleagues; and that those detained be allowed to seek medical and legal services. • To confine in the barracks and immediately prosecute those involved in the extra judicial killings of Chungkham Khellen and Thockchom Rebina on the 23rd of July 2009 by the Manipur Police Commandos • For the government of Manipur to put a stop to fake encounters to justify killings and to refrain from arresting leaders and activists. • To guarantee in all circumstances the protection of the rights of activists and human rights defenders to carry out their legitimate activities without fear of reprisals and free from restriction including judicial harassment. Along these line, armed forces of the state should be made aware and should respect the fundamental rights of the citizens, and to stop acts of intimidations, threats and the like especially to the protesters. • To repeal repressive laws including the National Security Act and the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 that are not consistent with international human rights instruments Thank you for your attention.