ACHR PRESS RELEASE

New Delhi : Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR) condemned the re-arrest of Ms Irom Sharmila, a recipient of the Kwangju Human Rights Award by the Manipur Police today afternoon for alleged attempt to suicide. Ms Sharmila, who has been leading a fast unto death since November 2000 to protest against the Armed Forces Special Powers Act of (AFSPA) of 1958 was scheduled to address a meeting of the Apunba Manipur Kanba Ima Lup (Mothers Union to Save Manipur) on the occasion of the International Women’s Day.  

Ms Sharmila was released yesterday by the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate of Imphal, R M Memcha. She has been in detention for more than one year since 7 March 2007 – the maximum sentence that could awarded to those who are found guilty of committing offence under section 309 of the IPC.   

Mr Suhas Chakma, Director of ACHR described the arrest as “another blow to the universally praised Gandhian methods of protests against injustice”.  

“The arrest of Irom Sharmila once again shows the unwillingness of the government of India to implement the recommendations of its own commissions on the AFSPA –Justice Jeevan Reddy headed Commission on the Review of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 and Administrative Reforms Committee headed by Veerappan Moily” – further stated Mr Chakma.  

“If the government does not implement the recommendations of its own commissions, it breeds contempt for the State. This calls for immediate implementation of the recommendations of the Reddy and Moily Commissions and release of Irom Sharmila.” – also added Mr Chakma.

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