IT News
Imphal, July 12:
In a significant development, the European Parliament has entered into discussions on the recent outbreak of violence in Manipur, India, while the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, remains silent on the matter. The ongoing plenary session in Strasbourg saw strong condemnation of the acts of violence, with a call for an immediate cessation of violence from all parties involved.
The European Parliament emphasized the need for restraint and urged political leaders to refrain from making inflammatory statements that further escalate tensions. The motion also denounced any nationalist rhetoric propagated by prominent members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The motion for a resolution was presented by a coalition of six parliamentary groups, representing a range of political ideologies, including left-wing, socialist, green, conservative, and center-right parties. The motion encourages the Indian government and all political actors, as well as religious leaders, to take urgent measures to restore calm and initiate an inclusive dialogue involving civil society and affected communities, as a means to resolve the crisis.
The motion highlights the importance of adhering to the UN Basic Principles on the use of force and firearms by law enforcement officials, which advocate for the minimum necessary use of force at all times. It also emphasizes that freedom of religion and belief is a fundamental human right that should be protected by state authorities.
The motion further urges the restoration of unrestricted internet access in the conflict zone, as current limitations impede the exercise of freedom of speech and expression. It strongly condemns the repeated use of internet shutdowns as a means to silence dissent and criticism throughout the country.
Additionally, the motion calls for the facilitation of humanitarian aid to affected individuals and stresses the importance of granting access to international observers and journalists. It calls for an independent investigation into the violence and urges European Union leaders to consistently raise human rights concerns with their Indian counterparts, particularly regarding freedom of expression, media freedom, protection of religious minorities, the shrinking space for civil society, and ongoing caste discrimination.
In response to the situation, Amnesty International, a renowned human rights organization, expressed deep concern and alarm over the relentless violence between ethnic groups in Manipur. The organization called for meaningful collaboration between Indian authorities, civil society groups, and community members of all ethnic backgrounds to restore peace and security in a manner that respects human rights. Amnesty International also stressed the need for immediate, impartial investigations into reports of excessive use of force and police bias.
The organization urged Indian authorities to coordinate efforts to provide essential necessities, including adequate housing, safety, clothing, clean water, nutrition, and healthcare, to internally displaced persons (IDPs) who have been forced to flee. They emphasized the right of the IDPs to voluntarily return to their homes and rebuild their lives, calling for safe rehabilitation and resettlement.
The human rights body also emphasized the imperative of restoring internet access, highlighting the importance of meaningful collaboration between authorities and civil society groups to ensure a human rights-compliant restoration of peace and security.
As the European Parliament deliberates on the situation and human rights organizations continue to voice their concerns, the hope remains that effective measures will be taken to address the violence and protect the rights of all individuals involved in the unrest in Manipur.
