The Crisis Manipur and Implications for Human Rights in India-

September 26, Geneva-

The Crisis in Manipur and Implications for Human Rights in India is a Human Rights Council 54th session side-event co-organized by the World Evangelical Alliance, Open Doors International, Indian American Muslim Council, Hindus for Human Rights, Justice for All, International Commission for Dalit Rights, and North American Manipur Tribal Association. In-person participation: Tuesday 19 September at 4 p.m. At Room XXV, Building E, Palais des Nations.

Online participation: The event was broadcast live on YouTube on 19 September at 4 p.m. CET – 10 a.m. EDT.

Side-event background Since May 2023, the state of Manipur in India has witnessed large-scale violence primarily against the tribal Christian Zo people (Kuki, Zomi, Hmar tribes) that led to at least 180 deaths, rampant sexual violence, and hundreds of churches and thousands of homes that were demolished or burned down. 70,000 people remain internally displaced. In July 2023, in the state of Haryana, an anti-Muslim rally led to six people being killed followed by Muslim homes and businesses being targeted and destroyed in Nuh, a small city south of New Delhi. As the 2024 elections in India draw close, our side-event panel will discuss accountability for violence and how to prevent incitement and further violence against ethnic and religious minorities.

Panelists Ms. Reem Alsalem, United Nations Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, its causes and consequences, since August 2021. Jordanian national, she holds a Masters in International Relations from the American University in Cairo, Egypt (2001) and a Masters in Human Rights Law from the University of Oxford, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (2003). Ms. Alsalem is an independent consultant on gender issues, the rights of refugees and migrants, transitional justice and humanitarian response. Ms. Florence N. Lowe, Founding Member and President of the North American Manipur Tribal Association NAMTA. Ms Lowe founded NAMTA in May 2023 in response to the attacks on the Kuki-Zomi Christian people of Manipur in India. She was born in Manipur in India and is member of the Paite tribe, which is one of the many tribes under the Kuki-Zomi umbrella. NAMTA’s mission is to help preserve and protect tribal heritage, lives and lands. Ms. Lowe lives in the United States and is the founder and CEO of data analytics firm Alpha Genesis Labs. Ms. Hena Zuberi, Director of Advocacy for Justice For All, based in Washington DC. She co-chairs the India Working Group at the International Religious Freedom Roundtable. She has been recognized as an advocate for human rights spanning many areas of concern around the world. Ms. Zuberi directs congressional and US administration outreach for Justice For All campaigns. She hosts the Justice For All Now Show on Muslim Network TV and is the lead anchor on the nightly Muslim News on the channel. Our side-event will feature a pre-recorded video message by Mr. Nury Turkel, Commissioner, United States Commission on International Religious Freedom. It will be moderated by Mr. Wissam al-Saliby, Director of the Geneva office of the World Evangelical Alliance.

Courtesy: WEA:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5aF0k22HN0