IMPHAL, Oct 12: The Women\u2019s International League for Peace and Freedom has accused the Government of
\nIndia that the latter had failed to advance human rights and justice when it did not accept the recommendations of the
\nUN Human Rights Council to repeal the Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) still in force today in the North
\nEast of India.<\/p>\n
The Women\u2019s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) expresses its grave concerns about the
\nnon-acceptance by India of \u201cthis critical\u201d demand during the Universal Periodic Review Report of India on September
\n20 2012.<\/p>\n
It then stated that in solidarity with all those affected by the AFSPA, the League calls on the government of India to
\nrepeal the AFSPA immediately. Such action would contribute to ending impunity and reduce oppression and
\nviolence in the region, it added.<\/p>\n
The Armed Forces Special Act continues to increase militarisation in the North East, augment impunity and facilitate
\nhuman rights abuse including rape and other forms of torture, forced disappearances, and killing of civilians. The
\nprovision of the AFSPA, which enable arrests without warrants, and firing upon civilians to kill, violate international
\nlaw and human rights. Furthermore, the AFSPA provision providing legal immunity for all actions of Indian army
\nofficers create a culture of injustice and impunity. Lack of accountability for crimes fails victims and leaves
\nindividuals and families without any form of redress, it rues.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur WILPF Section of India supports the efforts of peace groups in the North East and particularly Ms Irom
\nSharmila in combating this military regime. Ms (Irom) Sharmila started her hunger strike in 2000 in protest of the
\nAFSPA and each year is taken into custody and force-fed but her message remains clear that the effects and impacts
\nof the illegal AFSPA must not be silenced,\u201d the women\u2019s league expressed.<\/p>\n
The UN Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions, said during his visit to India in March
\n2012, the AFSPA is a \u2018 hated \u2018 and \u2018Draconian\u2019 law, which has become \u2018a symbol of excessive State power\u2019 and it \u2018has
\nno role to play in a democracy\u2019 and \u2018clearly violates International Law\u2019. Given this remarks, WILPF calls on all actors in
\nthe international community to support the calls to repeal the AFSPA as a matter of urgency, the League appeals.<\/p>\n
\u201cFinally, we send our messages of solidarity to all affected by the AFSPA as they continue to struggle for justice,
\nequality and peace. The Government of India must respond to the demands to repeal the AFSPA,\u201d the Women\u2019s
\nInternational League for Peace and Freedom urged.<\/p>\n\n