In a milestone achievement, the online petition to review and rectify UN Press Release on Manipur issue initiated by the World Meetei Council on October 23 via change.org, representing the Meeteis in India and Meetei diaspora around the world, including numerous concerned individuals from various communities has surpassed 1 lakh signatures.
The plea seeks a re-evaluation and amendment of the UN press release to ensure a more equitable and comprehensive understanding of the issue, stated a release.
It asserted that obtaining 1 lakh online signatures in the midst of an active internet ban for the general public in Manipur has been a formidable challenge. It expressed optimism that the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights will now re-assess the biased press release issued by the Special Mandate Holders.
“It is evident that the overwhelming support stems from the collective disappointment that the United Nations has seemingly endorsed the global propaganda of the Kuki community by unjustly favoring them due to their Christian religion, minority, and victimhood claim,” WMC stated.
It highlighted the several points raised in the press release, including the portrayal of the conflict as religious, gender-based, incited by hate speech, the characterisation of the Kuki community as an ethnic minority, their portrayal as victims and also emphasised the Meetei community’s status as the indigenous and endangered community in India.
The petition also addresses the grave consequences of the alleged ethnic cleansing of Meeteis in Chin-Kuki dominated districts on May 3, marking the onset of the ongoing Manipur violence, it mentioned.
WMC mentioned that the latest total stands at 111,996 signatures and stated that the count will be officially closed on December 2, 2023. It added that the petition, along with the total number of signatures, will then be submitted to the United Nations OHCHR through the official channel. It further requested all to sign the appeal.
