United Nations experts expressed their deep concern on Monday regarding reports and images of gender-based violence targeting women and girls in Manipur, India. They strongly urged the Indian government to take immediate and decisive action to investigate these acts of violence and hold the perpetrators accountable.
The UN experts raised alarms about numerous human rights violations and abuses in Manipur, including allegations of sexual violence, extrajudicial killings, home destruction, forced displacement, torture, and ill-treatment, PTI reported.
In response to these allegations, India has previously stated that authorities at all levels, including the judiciary, are actively addressing the situation in Manipur to maintain peace, harmony, and law and order.
In a strongly worded statement, the UN experts said, "We are appalled by the reports and images of gender-based violence targeting hundreds of women and girls of all ages, predominantly of the Kuki ethnic minority. The alleged violence includes gang rape, parading women naked in the street, severe beatings causing death, and burning them alive or dead."
The experts also expressed deep concern over the reported misuse of counterterrorism measures to justify acts of violence and repression against ethnic and religious minorities.
They called on the Indian government to intensify relief efforts for those affected and to promptly investigate acts of violence, including those involving public officials who may have contributed to inciting racial and religious hatred and violence.
These experts noted that recent events in Manipur mark a troubling development in the worsening situation for religious and ethnic minorities in India.
The experts commended the fact-finding mission carried out by lawyers and human rights defenders in Manipur, as well as the follow-up by the Supreme Court of India. However, they emphasized the need for a more timely response.
They further urged the Supreme Court to continue monitoring the government's actions, focusing on justice, accountability, and reparations.
The UN experts involved in this statement include Reem Alsalem (Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls), Michael Fakhri (Special Rapporteur on the right to food), Irene Khan (Special Rapporteur on the protection and promotion of freedom of opinion and expression), Fionnuala Ní Aolain (Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism), Balakrishnan Rajagopal (Special Rapporteur on the right to adequate housing), Nazila Ghanea (Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief), Morris Tidball-Binz (Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary, or arbitrary executions), Mary Lawlor (Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders), and Ashwini. K.P. (Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance).
