The Meghalaya Peoples’ Human Rights Council (MPHRC) marked International Human Rights Day 2022 by expressing strong condemnation of “all acts of violence that have been systematically perpetrated against innocent civilians, indigenous peoples, genuine minorities, including journalists as well as other atrocities and violations of human rights”.
The International Human Rights Day is observed every year to commemorate the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948 by the UN General Assembly. “This landmark document was the first global enunciation of the rights of all human beings, enshrining the principles of equality and non-discrimination in the realization of these rights, which are to be extended to all regardless of nationality, religion, ethnicity, gender, or legal status,” the MPHRC said.
The theme this year is - “Dignity, Freedom, and Justice for all”,
“As we celebrate International Human Rights Day, we reaffirm its commitment to a world that protects human rights, celebrates human rights defenders, and holds accountable those who abuse human rights since we believe that human rights are essential to build a more peaceful, stable, and prosperous world,” Dino DG Dympep, chairman, MPHRC, said.
Expressing solidarity with the villagers of Mukroh, the MPHRC said: “We stand in solidarity with the local villagers in Mukroh in demanding justice for those victims who were killed by the Assam Police and urges both the Government of Meghalaya and Assam to ensure the safety and security of local villagers in Mukroh and that a robust mechanisms be put in place to ensure that they live a life with human dignity”.
“We stress the need to bring to justice those responsible, including those at the command level, and urge all parties, including the Government to take all necessary steps to prevent further violations of human rights from occurring or, when violations do occur, to address their causes so that they do not reoccur in the future” the commission stated.
The MPHRC also expressed concern over the inquiry panel report constituted by the Government to probe into the killing of (L) Cheristerfield Thangkhiew, former leader of Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC), which revealed that “the death of deceased was caused by a botched operation and was nothing but a culpable of thoughtless and excessive use of force, which turned out to be avoidable and another clear violation of human rights committed by the police operation team”.
“We condemn the Government for directly defending the Tactical Team-I who were responsible for the operation to arrest the deceased at his residence on 13-8-2021 at about 3 am and, as such, itself constitutes a denial of the victims' right to justice and redress” said MPHRC.
Urging the government to investigate all allegations of human rights abuses and prosecute offenders; including those implicated in various violent incidents in the past, the commission said, “We support the right to peaceful protests and freedom of expression and we commend the overall performance of the Meghalaya Police in maintaining law and order over recent months.”
The commission also urged the state sponsored human rights institution to continue investigating allegations of excessive use of force and extra-judicial killings “committed by police officers”.
“We wish to remind everyone that human rights empower us all - the principles enshrined in the UN Declaration for Human Rights (UDHR) are as relevant today as they were in 1948. We need to stand up for our own rights and those of others. We can take action in our own daily lives, to uphold the rights that protect us all and thereby promote the affinity of all human beings.
“Human rights are timeless and non-negotiable. A violation of human rights anywhere is a violation of human rights everywhere” the MPHRC added, as it honoured the bravery of individuals, activists, human rights defenders, and peaceful protestors, who promote freedom, justice, equality and equity, and the rule of law despite severe risks to their own lives, rights, and freedoms.
