‘International day in support of victims of torture” was observed today at Manipur Press Club under the theme Right to Rehabilitation. The observance was jointly organized by Women’s Action for Development (WAD), United NGOs Mission Manipur (UNMM), North East Dialogue Forum (NEDF), COWF, HRI and DVSF.
Resource person advocate Shivananda of HRI, while speaking on the occasion said that the persistent rise in number of victims of torture by the armed state or non state actors is not a sign of good governance. Civilians are to be protected by both the parties engaged in the conflict but the situation is totally different in Manipur. He further added that uncountable numbers of people are victim of torture in many forms like assault, custodial to torture force starvation etc.
He further said that we should always consider legal right in any injustice torture and should left the culture of keeping silence.
Delivering her presidential speech Subita Mangsatabam, Secretary of WAD said that killing of Thangjam Monorama by the Assam Rifles in 2004 still haunts today. She further said that now is the time for the victim of torture living in all part of Manipur to come out and fight together for their justice.
Various victims of torture gave testimony on the occasion.
