Saturday 8 February 2014

Selected ACTIVITY UPDATES for the year 2013

1) Resolution of the Public Consultation on “Tipaimukh Dam and Forest Clearance”, organized by the Citizens’ Concern for Dams and Development (CCDD), Committee on Land and Natural Resources (COLNER), Committee on the Protection of Natural Resources in Manipur (CPNRM), North East Dialogue Forum (NEDF) And The Action Committee Against Tipaimukh Dam Project (ACTIP) Held At Manipur Press Club, Imphal On 9 July 2013 
 
The participants of the one day public consultation on “Tipaimukh dam and Forest Clearance” organized by the Citizens Concern for Dams and Development, Committee on Land and Natural Resources, Committee on the Protection of Natural Resources in Manipur, North East Dialogue Forum and the Action Committee Against Tipaimukh Dam Project, held at Manipur Press Club on 9 July 2013 hereby:    

1) Affirm that the forest, land, rivers and other natural resources of Manipur are crucial for the sustenance of endemic flora and fauna and the survival of several indigenous communities.
3) Further affirms indigenous peoples’ self determined rights over our land, forest and resources and to develop and define all development priorities in Manipur as also outlined in the UN Declaration on the rights of Indigenous Peoples, 2007.  
3) Express concern that the Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) of the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) is meeting on 11-12 July 2013 to consider the proposed 1500 MW Tipaimukh Multipurpose Hydroelectric Project for “Forest Clearance”
4) Further express concern that for the possible “Forest Clearance”, the FAC of MoEF is relying for reports of a one day aerial survey of officials of Government of India, and also the request from the Government of Manipur and the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation, all of which recommended for felling 7.8 million trees and 27,000 bamboo in Manipur without proper and comprehensive impact assessment due to proposed Tipaimukh dam construction.
5) Recall that the Ministry of Environment and Forest of the Government of India conceded “Environment Clearance” in October 2008 for the proposed Tipaimukh Dam project despite peoples’ objections in all the five public hearings held from the year 2004 till 2008.
6) Also recall that an MoU was signed with the Government of Manipur, the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) and Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (SJVNL) on 28th April 2010, reaffirmed on 22nd October 2011, without obtaining the Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) of all affected communities in Manipur, Mizoram and Assam.
7) Remind of the recommendations of the UN Committee on the Elimination of All forms of Racial Discrimination in 2011 on Tipaimukh Dam not to construct the dam without the free prior and informed consent of all affected indigenous peoples. 

The participants further resolved that: 
1) The Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) of the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF), Government of India should desist from granting Forest Clearance for the proposed Tipaimukh Multipurpose Hydroelectric Project as this would amount to clear cut violation of the rights of indigenous peoples in Manipur.
2) The FAC of the MoEF should also take cognizance that all Indigenous Peoples of Manipur have full rights over their lands and resources, as also recognized by the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, 2007.   
3) The FAC of the MoEF should refrain from making recommendations for Compensatory Afforestation as Manipur is such a small State with huge pressure on land and forest already and the forest to be submerged by Tipaimukh HEP is so huge that it is irrational to compensate similar areas in other parts of Manipur with afforestation.
4) Manipur cannot afford to sacrifice its forest and to fell 7.8 million trees and 27,000 bamboo groves in Manipur for a mega project which will wrought widespread havoc on environment and sufferings on peoples’ lives and future.  
5) The MoEF should recommend revoking the MoU signed on Tipaimukh Dam by the Government of Manipur with National Hydroelectric Project and Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited on 28 April 2010, reaffirmed on 22 October 2011. 
6) The Government of India should ensure that the proposed 1500 MW Tipaimukh HEP is not constructed without the Free, Prior and Informed Consent of indigenous peoples.  
7) The MoEF should revoke the Environment Clearance Granted for Tipaimukh Dam in October 2008 based on the stern objections by the affected communities in all the five public hearings from 2004 till 2008.       
8) The MoEF should recommend that the proposed Tipaimukh dam should adhere to the recommendations of the World Commission on Dams, the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous peoples, 2007 and the recommendations from the UN CERD Committee on Tipaimukh Dam in 2011

3) Resolution of  the Public Consultation on “Livelihood Impacts of 105 MW Loktak HEP Project & Manipur Loktak Lake (Protection) Act, 2006 on Communities”, organized by the All Loktak Lake Areas Fishermen’s Union, the All Manipur Thanga Peoples Welfare Association, the Committee on the Protection of Natural Resources in Manipur and the Citizens Concern for Dams and Development on 28 September 2013, at Thanga Haoreng Chingyang, Manipur
 
                 The participants of the Public Consultation on “Livelihood Impacts of 105 MW Loktak Project and Manipur Loktak Lake Protection Act, 2006 on Communities” held on 28th September 2013 at Thanga Haoreng Chingyang by the All Loktak Lake Areas Fishermen’s Union, the All Manipur Thanga Peoples Welfare Association, the Committee on the Protection of Natural Resources in Manipur and the Citizens Concern for Dams and Development hereby adopted the following observations:       

1) Loktak wetlands are the primary source of livelihood for many indigenous communities of Manipur, through fishing, agriculture, livestock grazing, collection of seasonable foods and medicinal plants etc.  The fishing communities in and around the Loktak Lake have intrinsic and inalienable survival dependence and relationship with the Loktak wetlands.
2) The commissioning of the 105 MW Loktak Multipurpose Hydroelectric project is the prime reason of disturbing and severing the livelihood dependence of indigenous communities in Loktak Lake, primarily by submerging more than 83,000 hectares of prime agricultural land and threatening the availability of indigenous fish species and food plant species.
3) The enactment of the Manipur Loktak Lake (Protection Act), 2006 (MLLPA) has further threatened the livelihood dependence of fishing communities on Loktak wetlands. The MLLPA, 2006 is problematic not only due to its exclusive and non participatory nature of policy formulation but also due its failure to acknowledge the intrinsic survival dependence of communities with Loktak wetlands and further the non recognition and violation of their human rights.
4) The Loktak HEP Project and the promulgation of the Manipur Loktak Lake (Protection Act) 2006 has serious undermined the food sovereignty of Manipur and fostered food dependency on outsiders.
5) The Loktak Wetlands and the unique way of life of communities, including living in floating huts over floating vegetative mass (phumdis) is a natural and cultural heritage of Manipur. 

The participants further resolved:            
1) Recognize the rights of intrinsic rights of communities to control and manage Loktak wetlands for mutual survival and their self determined development of Loktak wetlands based on their needs and aspirations.
2) Repeal Manipur Loktak Lake Protection Act, 2006 for its anti people and anti Loktak provisions
3) Review Loktak Multipurpose Hydroelectric Project for its impacts on Loktak wetlands, including the proliferation of Phumdis in Loktak Lake and impact on Keibul Lamjao National Park.
4) Decommission the Ithai Barrage of Loktak Multipurpose Hydroelectric Project 
5) Return all agriculture land submerged by the Loktak Project to communities
6) Stop all forms of Anti People policy in the guise of development in Loktak wetlands and ensure the Right to Free, Prior and Informed Consent of all indigenous communities depending on Loktak Lake for introduction of any development process in Loktak wetlands.
7) Formulate a comprehensive Wetlands Management Policy in Manipur based on wise use of communities depending on the wetland as per guidelines of Ramsar Convention for Community participation and as per the provision of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
8) Promote the protection of tangible and intangible natural and cultural heritages of Loktak Wetlands.

3) “Recognize the rights and protect Human Rights Defenders of Manipur” Resolution Adopted at the Manipur Convention on Protection of Human Rights Defenders of Manipur” Manipur Press Club, Imphal, Manipur, 19 October 2013

The participants of the Manipur State Convention on “Protection of Human Rights Defenders of Manipur” organized at Manipur Press Club, Imphal, Manipur on 19 October 2013 hereby:  

1) Recalls the role and importance of human rights defenders in an armed conflict afflicted Manipur to end all forms of human rights violations and to seek justice, and further, in fostering respect of democratic values, of culture of rights and in seeking social, economic, environmental, gender, civil and political justice and their contribution in building sustainable peace.
2) Expresses concern with the persisting and increasing threats, ill treatment and harassment of human rights defenders of Manipur by State actors and others for their human rights activism, for promotion of right to life, right to land and natural resources, for women’s and children’s rights etc, in the context of increasing economic liberalization and related development aggressions. Reiterate that targetting human rights defenders are serious human rights violations, under India’s national laws, Int’l Human Rights standards and International Humanitarian Laws.
3) Further, expresses concern with the  summon of Mr. Jiten Yumnam, a human rights defender on 2 October 2013 by Police commandoes at Commando complex, Minuthong, without any legal order and giving any reason and setting premise for further monitoring of his human rights activism.  
4) Recall the obligations and directions of National Human Rights Commission of India to uphold the rights, safety and protection of all human rights defenders of Manipur and across India. Further, recall the 1996 DK Basu Judgement against arbitrary summon, illegal arrest and torture of innocent people.  
5) Recall the recommendations of Mr. Margaret Saggakya, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, in her report submitted to the UN Human Rights Council following her visit to India in January 2011 to protect the human rights of all Human Rights Defenders in Manipur and across India.  
6) Expressing concern with the wide misuse of emergency legislations in armed conflict afflicted Manipur, such as the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958, Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 1967, National Security Act, 1980 which are used to target Human Rights Defenders to rights violations.    
7) Expressing solidarity with the struggle of human rights defender, Ms. Irom Sharmila, who’s been on fast for the last 13 years for the repeal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958
8) Expressing concern with the non functioning of the Manipur Human Rights Commission, due to non appointment of its members, which hinders in seeking protection and justice for human rights defenders
Recall the UN Declaration on the rights of Human Rights Defenders 1998 and express our concern with the absence of specific policy to protect the human rights of all human rights defenders

Picture: Woman HRD sharing during the Convention

The participants of the State Convention on protection of Human Rights Defenders unanimously adopted the following resolutions:    
     
That the Government of Manipur and Government of India should:      
1) Recognize the importance and legitimacy of the works of human rights defenders i.e anyone who “individually and in association with others, promotes and strives for the protection and realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms at all levels (Article 1 of UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, 1998).
2) Ensure the protection of all human rights defenders of Manipur and allow them to continue heir legitimate human rights work without fear of harassment, torture and deprivation of their right to life.
3) Stop targetting all human rights defenders of Manipur to ill treatment, harassment and degrading treatment, and torture including to Mr. Jiten Yumnam, a distinguished human rights defender of Manipur, Mandir Laishram etc and to ensure their safety and protection. 
4) Repeal all emergency laws, which impacts on the security of innocent people and human rights defenders of Manipur, especially, the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958, the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 1967 and the National Security Act, 1980.
5) To drop all charges against internationally renowned human rights defender, Ms. Irom Sharmila, who is on hunger strike demanding the repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958
6) Ensure the full functioning of the Manipur Human Rights Commission, Manipur Information  Commission and all ombudsman of welfare schemes, with due appointment of competent and committed members through a transparent process 
6) Ensure right to information, free exchange of human rights information, freedom of expression for all human rights defenders of Manipur 
7) Fully implement the recommendations of the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, Ms. Margaret Saggakya in February 2011 during her visit to country visit to India.
8) Establish a policy for the protection of human rights defenders of Manipur with their due consultation in accordance with the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, 1998.  
9) Formulate policies to end all practice of torture, ill treatment, intimidation, reprisal, harassment, degrading treatment, clamping false criminal charges of all human rights defenders and other members of the community in accordance with the UN Convention against Torture   

The participants further resolved to:   
1) Apprise all concerned officials of the Government of Manipur and Government of India to protect the human rights of all human rights defenders of Manipur   
2) Apprise the National Human Rights Commission of India, visiting and holding sessions in Manipur from 23rd till 25th October 2013 of the difficulties faced by the human rights defenders of Manipur. Urge the NHRC to allocate adequate time to discuss the matter with human rights defenders during its maiden visit to Manipur.  And further urge the focal point on Human Rights Defenders in National Human Rights Commission to accord special attention to the situation of human rights defenders of Manipur.

4) Resolutions adopted at the community seminars on “Oil exploration in Manipur” held at Keiphundai village and Oinamlong village, Tamenglong district on 17th and 18th December 2013, organized by Peoples Endeavour for Social Change, Naga Women Union and the Committee on the Protection on Natural Resources in Manipur  

We, the participants of the Seminar on “Oil Exploration in Manipur”, organized by the Naga Women Union (NWU), Committee on the Protection of Natural Resources in Manipur (CPNRM) and Peoples Endeavour for Social Change (PESCH) at Keiphundai Village and Oinamlong Villages, Tamenglong District, Manipur on 17th and 18th December 2013 respectively, hereby resolved: 

1) That our land, forest, water and all the resources within our land belong to the indigenous communities of Manipur and intrinsic for their livelihood and survival.
2) To oppose the ongoing efforts of the Government of India, Government of Manipur, Jubilant Energy and Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) to explore and drill oil (petroleum) from Tamenglong and Churachandpur Districts and Jiribam Sub Division of Manipur without informing and taking consent of communities of Manipur
3) To support all stances, resolution and efforts by communities and all concerned to stop oil exploration and drilling in Manipur
4) That, the Government of Manipur and Jubilant Energy should provide all the information related to Oil and Gas Exploration in Manipur, such as Detailed Project Report, details of Contracts signed between the Government of India and Jubilant Energy and other Multinational corporate bodies. 
Picture: Community Meeting on oil Exploration at Parbung, Churachandpur
 5) The Government of India and Government of Manipur should stop defining arbitrary, unsustainable and destructive development priorities and models in Manipur.
6) That the indigenous communities of Manipur will determine our development priorities based on our development needs and priorities and in accordance with our intrinsic survival dependence over our land and resources.   






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