In a shocking revelation, United Nations (UN) experts have sounded the alarm over grave human rights violations and abuses in the Northeastern state of Manipur, India. These reported violations include acts of sexual violence, extrajudicial killings, home destruction, forced displacement, torture, and ill-treatment.
The experts have expressed deep concern over the “inadequate humanitarian response” to the dire situation in Manipur, which has been exacerbated by a recent wave of community conflicts. These conflicts, primarily between the predominantly Hindu Meitei and the predominantly Christian Kuki ethnic communities, erupted in May 2023.
Must read | COCOMI to force remove Army barricade beyond Torbung on Sept 6, 11 AM
By mid-August 2023, an estimated 160 individuals had tragically lost their lives, with a majority belonging to the Kuki ethnic community. Additionally, over 300 people were injured, and tens of thousands of community members were forcibly displaced. The conflict has also led to the destruction of thousands of homes, hundreds of churches, farmlands, crops, and livelihoods.
What is perhaps most harrowing is the reported gender-based violence, predominantly targeting women and girls from the Kuki ethnic minority. These horrific acts include gang rape, public humiliation, fatal beatings, and even burning victims alive or postmortem.
The experts have pointed out that this violence appears to have been incited by hateful and inflammatory rhetoric, both online and offline, justifying these atrocities against the Kuki ethnic minority based on their ethnicity and religious beliefs. They have also expressed alarm at the reported misuse of counterterrorism measures to legitimize violence against ethnic and religious minorities.
This distressing situation in Manipur marks a disturbing milestone in the deteriorating conditions for religious and ethnic minorities in India, according to the experts.
The UN experts have raised serious concerns about what they perceive as a slow and inadequate response from the Government of India, including law enforcement, in curbing physical and sexual violence and hate speech in Manipur.
They have welcomed the fact-finding mission carried out by lawyers and human rights defenders in Manipur and subsequent actions by the Supreme Court of India regarding the situation. However, they stress the need for timely monitoring by the Supreme Court to ensure justice, accountability, and reparations. Furthermore, they have expressed concerns about the reported criminalization and harassment of human rights defenders documenting these cases.
Must read | ITLF releases statement condemning FIR filed against EGI
In their closing statements, the experts urgently call upon the Government of India to intensify relief efforts for those affected by the conflict and to take robust and prompt action to investigate acts of violence, holding perpetrators accountable. This includes public officials who may have played a role in inciting racial and religious hatred and violence.
Must read | FIR filed against Kuki Times for open threat to bomb Imphal City
About The Author
