By Deepti Priya Mehrotra
A profile of the unique rebel who is fighting for a repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act in Manipur, by the author of a new book on Irom Sharmila
On March 8, 2008, peace activist Irom Sharmila was arrested in Imphal, Manipur. She was scheduled to address a meeting at the Meira Shang (Women’s Shelter), Porompat, organised by the Apunba Manipur Kanba Ima Lup (Mothers’ Union to Save Manipur). A large number of women and human rights activists requested the police to allow her to be free as a symbolic gesture of respect on International Women’s Day. But their pleas went unheard. Sharmila, who had been released from judicial custody only the previous day (March 7), was re-arrested on charges of attempted suicide.
Submitted by anivar on Sat, 2008-04-19 18:42.
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The Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL, Nov 6: Irom Singhajit, brother of Irom Chanu Sharmila, announced today that the entire prize money received by Sharmila as part of the prestigious Gwangju Award for Human Rights will be deployed in a trust dedicated to the promotion of human rights, peace and democracy.
Addressing a workshop on international humanitarian law for front-line reporters, held today at Hotel Imphal, Singhajit disclosed that the new trust, named the Just-Peace Foundation, was constituted yesterday, with the objective of carrying forward the spirit of Sharmila`s struggle to the people of Manipur and beyond.
Submitted by anivar on Fri, 2007-11-30 19:28.
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Law Provides Impunity for Human Rights Abuses, Fuels Cycles of Violence
" The Armed Forces Special Powers Act effectively allows Indian troops to get away with murder. "
Meenakshi Ganguly, senior South Asia researcher at Human Rights Watch
http://hrw.org/english/docs/2007/11/20/india17381.htm
(New York, November 20, 2007) – The Indian government should repeal the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, which has prevented the military from being held accountable for human rights violations, Human Rights Watch said today as civil society groups from across India gathered in New Delhi to protest the law.
Submitted by anivar on Fri, 2007-11-30 19:20.
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