IT News
Imphal, June 20:
Civil Society Coalition on human Rights in Manipur and the United nations (CSCHR) had petitioned Manipur Human Rights commission to Ascertain the position of the Government of Manipur on the issue of ratification of UNCAT; to recommend the Government of Manipur to take a firm stand on the urgent need to ratify the UNCAT and promptly communicate the same to the Union Home Ministry; to Recommend to the Government of lndia to ratify the UNCAT without any further delay.
The commission has registered the petition and proceedings were taken up on June 25, 2020. MHRC has asked the Special Secretary (Home), Government of Manipur to report on the steps taken by the State Government of Manipur regarding the ratification of the UNCAT on or before July 13, 2020.
A statement signed by Phulindro Konsam, Convenor of the Rights body and Co-convenor , Joy Chingakham, while showing solidarity to torture survivors in connection with the observance of the International Day in Support of the victims of Torture said that the June 26 is the day the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, lnhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT) entered into force in the year 1987 and it is observed as a day to highlight the sufferings of the victims of torture worldwide.
“Even though the Government of India signed UNCAT in 1997 and subsequently the Law Commission of lndia as well as the Supreme Court of lndia had recommended its ratification, the Government has not done so till date”, the statement said that added that the Government of lndia has always accepted the recommendations from several countries to ratify UNCAT in all the three cycles of the Universal Periodic
The statement said that CSCHR will also be submitting a communication to the UN Special Ropporteur on Torture on this undue delay in ratification of UNCAT. lt will also highlight the current practices of widespread prolonged and unnecessary confinements; curbing of liberty, torture, inhumane and degrading treatment of people in the context of the coVlD-19 lock down and mismanagement of quarantine centres of Manipur, the statement added.
