INDIA: Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 should be repealed 

An Open Letter to the President of India

For further information about AFSPA please read INDIA: AFSPA promotes armed insurgency in Manipur

 

Mrs. Pratibha Devisingh Patil

President of India

Rashtrapati Bhavan

New Delhi

INDIA

Fax: +91-11-23017290

Dear President

INDIA: Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 should be repealed

I am writing on behalf of the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) and the 216 persons listed below to express solidarity to the ten-year-long fast of Ms. Irom Sharmila Chanu, the Iron Lady of Manipur and her cause.

 

Sharmila started her indefinite fast on 4 November 2000, in protest of the violence committed by the state and non-state actors in Manipur and the impunity they enjoy against the crimes they commit. We are aware that Sharmila’s fast also demands an immediate end of impunity in the state, for which the withdrawal of the draconian law, the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA), from Manipur is a prerequisite. We are concerned about the ordinary people of Manipur and their unending suffering at the hands of the underground militant organisations as well as the state agencies operating in the state.

 

We are aware that the AFSPA is enforced in Manipur to support government operations in the state to counter secessionist and underground militant activities. We are of the opinion that the present climate of impunity is one of the reasons why conflict continues in Manipur. We are certain that you will agree that the AFSPA has not helped in countering militancy in Manipur, but on the contrary, has enraged it. We are confident that you will also agree that AFSPA negates the very notion of the rule of law and democracy.

 

We are of the opinion that the AFSPA, is a legislation that contributes to the overall impunity framework in states where it is enforced. National bodies including Justice Jeevan Reddy Committee; the Second Administrative Reforms Commission; and the Prime Minister’s Working Group on Confidence-Building Measures in Jammu and Kashmir concur with our opinion. These expert bodies have recommended your office to advice the Government of India to repeal AFSPA. The experts have categorically mentioned that a law like AFSPA will only facilitate violence and will not prevent it.

 

We are convinced that under the current circumstances, the withdrawal of AFSPA will not in itself solve the Manipur crisis. Yet, it could be a bold and open step by the government to show that it is determined to find solution to an armed conflict that has haunted an entire generation in the state.

Additionally, withdrawal of AFSPA from Manipur will be recognition to the sufferings of the state’s people and an expression of respect and acknowledgment of their inalienable rights.

 

We the undersigned, therefore request you to advice the Government of India to repeal AFSPA and take immediate steps to end the culture of impunity in Manipur.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

1. Bijo Francis, South Asia Desk, Asian Human Rights Commission, Hong Kong

2. Kapil Arambam, India

3. Basantakumar wareppa, Human Rights Alert, India

4. Gunileima, Macha Leima, Imphal, India

5. Th. S. Devi, India

6. Beekay Khuman, Humanitarian Sector, Sri Lanka

7. Dhanabir Maibam, India

8. Laitonjam Lalit Kumar, India

9. Feroze Ahmed, HWVO, Kashmir, India

10. Sumitra Thoidingjam, India

11. Joysana Chingakham, India

12. Sr. Mariola, India

13. Moirangthem Sanahal Singh, Lamlong Diamond Club, India

14. Prakash Mohara, Jagaran Media Center, Nepal

15. Avinash Pandey, JNU, India

16. Divya, JNU, India

17. Irengbam Runita, India

18. Neha Hui, India

19. Dr. Mary Bachaspatimayum, Centre for Contemporary Theory, India

20. Arif Ali Khan, India

21. Manish Gupta, India

22. Irengbam Rubita, India

23. Chingangbam Anupama, India

24. Ashish Singh, India

25. Mrinmoy Das, Human Network, India

26. Yogesh Sharma, India

27. Waikhom Bronandro Meitei, Student, India

28. Zuzubee

29. Nicky Chandam, India

30. Francisco

31. Francisco A. Fernández

33. David, India

34. Rani M

35. M Kunjakishor, India

36. Parameshwari Devi

37. Nilantha Ilangamuwa, Sri Lanka Guardian, Sri Lanka

38. Kh James Singh, India

39. Khangembam Bangkim Chandra, India

40. Dr Aakash Roy, India

41. Dr.Koko Saka

42. Malem Ningthouja, Campaign for Peace & Democracy (Manipur), India

43. Deepak Shijagurumayum, India

44. Devakishor Soraisam

45. Laishram Ananjoy

46. Soibam Bonee

47. Sinam Chingkheingamba Meetei

48. Indira Thounaojam, India

49. Mayengbam Pankaj Kumar, India

50. Samson

51. Sanatombi Angomcha, India

52. Santajit, India

53. Yangba

54. Raj Kumar

55. Harjeetsinam, India

56. Lee Gaokhuari

57. Rajdeep Kashyap, India

58. Rik Klose, India

59. Rishikanta Guruaribam, India

60. D. Gogoi, Assam, India

61. V. Lalchhandama, Student, India

62. Vedajit

63. Sanjiv

64. Mariam Nesa, India

65. C. Choudhury, Axom

66. Ningombam Robert Singh

67. Priyankan Goswami, Assam, India

68. Debraj Dhar, India

69. Laishram Surjit

70. Wangthoi Khuraijam, India

71. Rishidev

72. Sylvya, Indian

73. Jyotilal Longjam, Human Rights Alert, India

74. Rabi

75. Suprit Gupta

76. Charles Chasie, India

77. Johnson Chandam, Student, Kerala,India

78. Bishwarjit Khangembam, India

79. Irengbam Mona Meetei, Student, India

80. Priyobratta, NEDFI, India

81. Aeroshil Nameirakpam, USA

82. Surajit Sarkar

83. Amarjit, India

84. James, India

85. Dennis, India

86. Homer Soibam, India

87. Michael

88. Ibotomba Khuraijam

89. Desmond Coutinho, Kerala, India

90. Rina Mukherji, India

91. Ashok Sahyog, India

92. Parameshwari Devi

93. Mema Devi, India

94. Sukanta Debbarma

95. Shirin

96. Lanngamba Ningthoujam, Mando India R & D, India

97. Jurmila Thokchom, Human Rights Law Network, India

98. Gouramangi Namoijam, Kolkatta, India

99. Lembi, India

100. Haripyari Naorem, India

101. Ruchi Kumar, CIF, India

102. Roger Hawaibam

103. Michelle Fernandes

104. Uttam Chabungbam, India

105. Apurba

106. Aakash Jain, India

107. Dr. Kaushik Chakraborty, Agartala Govt Medical College & GBP Hospital, India

108. Rinchen Choppel

109. Syed Musaib, India

110. Khaidem Sashikanta

111. Kishalaya Bhattacharjee, India

112. Soibam Bonee

113. Balaji Ganesan, India

114. Shardool

115. Nagesh, USA

116. Priyadarshini Arambam, India

117. Ranjeeta Sadokpam, HRA, India

118. Naochi, India

119. Inaobi, India

120. Vidushi

121. Shreema Ningombam, Nambol.L. Sanoi College, India

122. James Daia, India

123. Sanjana, India

124. Sarah Ali Khan, India

125. Dr. M. Umakanta Singh, India

126. Tituraj, India

127. Anil Soriya, India

128. Waribam Bablu Singh

129. Jayashree Bose, India

130. Monica Poss, USA

131. Neha Panickar

132. Ksh. Gyanjit Singh, India

133. Lilananda Usham, Student, India

134. Tutu Hawaibam

135. Guno Ngangom, India

136. Sophia Vashalomidze, University of Halle, Germany

137. Christian Rademacher, University of Halle, Germany

138. Rinku Khumukcham

139. Saadut

140. Vijaya, India

141. John Fernandes, UK

142. Avinandan, India

143. Helen, India

144. Monika, India

145. Chabungbam Shivaraj

146. Durgesh

147. Sangeeta S

148. Budhista Yurembam, Macha Leima, India

149. Khangembam Monika

150. Pushpalata, Macha Leima, India

151. A B Singh, India

152. Ahongshambam Bony Singh, India

153. Thangjam Bicky

154. John Graham, USA

155. Lakshmikumari Kshetrimayum

156. Sarju, Macha Leima, India

157. Lai Imo, Ireibak (Manipuri daily), India

158. L.C. Bethebi, India

159. Sanasam Daljit Singh, India

160. B Prashant Kumar, Rajiv Gandhi School of Intellectual Property Law, IIT Kharagpur, India

161. Luwangcha

162. Satyabrata Kotoky

163. Habung Grayu, National Institute of Technology, India

164. Punshi, India

165. Linnnma K, India

166. Rajiv Nongmeikapam, India

167. Amar, India

168. Dhayalan

169. Nagaraj Mysore Raghupathi

170. ldinesh, Student, India

171. Ratika Yumnam

172. Oinam, India

173. Rk Naorem, Student, India

174. Jugal Kishore Sonowal, India

175. Techi Tapu, Student, India

176. Dinesh Reddy, India

177. Vamsi, India

178. Amber Burrows, UK

179. Luit

180. Debasish Mohanty, Student, India

181. Nanao Ch, India

182. Momo U, India

183. Rajni, India

184. Satish Moirangthem, India

185. Goutam

186. Kanishka Kumar, India

187. Rudy Arredondo, US

188. Jayadevan Prabhakaran

189. L C Meitei, India

190. Krishnakanta Sagolsem

191. Mayengbam Ranjit Luwang, India

192. M Joykumar, India

193. Leiyolan Vashum

194. Vashum

195. Rahul Jain, India

196. Souven Roy, India

197. Soo A KIM, South Korea

198. Rahul Saxena, USA

199. Donald Tokpam

200. Dinendra Hijam

201. Navjit

202. Subhash Chandra Medhi

203. Ranjan Mondal, India

204. C Lalremruata, India

205. Prasanta, India

206. Amusana, India

207. Suni, India

208. James Angom, India

209. Laishram Ojitkumar

210. Bishwarjit khangembam

211. OInam Ibomcha

212. Chanchal Yumnam, India

213. Avis, India

214. Tarun, India

215. Prithiviraj, Australia

216. Anand Wangkhem, India

217. Hijam Bikam, India

Document Type : Open Letter
Document ID : AHRC-OLT-013-2010
Countries : India,
Issues : Extrajudicial killings, Freedom of assembly, Impunity, Rule of law,