UN human rights experts ‘appalled’ by gender-based violence in Indian state

ANKARA

UN human rights experts expressed alarm Monday over "reports and images depicting gender-based violence, serious rights violations and abuses" in the northeastern Indian state of Manipur, where deadly ethnic clashes since May are causing a "grave humanitarian crisis."

The experts include Reem Alsalem, the special rapporteur on violence against women and girls, its causes and consequences; Michael Fakhri, the special rapporteur on the right to food; and Paula Gaviria Betancur, the special rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons.

“The alleged violence includes gang rape, parading women naked in the street, severe beatings causing death, and burning them alive or dead,” the experts said in a statement.

The Indian government said last month that since May, 152 people have lost their lives in the region. Minister of Home Affairs Amit Shah said all efforts are being made to ensure peace in the state.

“It is particularly concerning that the violence seems to have been preceded and incited by hateful and inflammatory speech that spread online and offline to justify the atrocities committed against the Kuki ethnic minority, particularly women, on account of their ethnicity and religious belief. We are further alarmed by the reported misuse of counterterrorism measures to legitimize acts of violence and repression against ethnic and religious minorities,” said the UN experts.

The experts called the recent incidents in Manipur “another tragic milestone in the steadily deteriorating situation for religious and ethnic minorities in India,” urging the Indian government to increase relief efforts and take immediate action in investigating the perpetrators responsible for the violence.

“We have serious concerns about the apparent slow and inadequate response by the Government of India, including law enforcement, to stem physical and sexual violence and hate speech in Manipur,” they said.

The state’s tribal population was enraged after the state government submitted recommendations to include the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribe category, a list of 33 tribes living in hill districts in Manipur. The Meitei people are mostly Hindus and form the largest ethnic group of Manipur. The two other communities in the state, Nagas and Kukis, are mostly Christians.

The violent acts of protest have left thousands displaced in the region. Tensions increased after a video showing two women paraded naked by a mob went viral and triggered nationwide outrage on social media.

According to reports from the New Delhi-based news agency Press Trust of India, Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh said Monday they have filed a police report against the president and three members of the Editors Guild of India “for a report critiquing media coverage out of Manipur.”