On Monday, UN experts expressed concern about the Indian government’s “slow and inadequate response” to the “serious human rights violations and abuses” in the Indian state of Manipur.
UN Chides India
The experts pointed to New Delhi’s “inadequate humanitarian response” in the wake of the “grave humanitarian situation” caused by a violent conflict, between the predominantly Hindu Meitei and the predominantly Christian Kuki ethnic communities, which erupted in May, including “alleged acts of sexual violence, extrajudicial killings, home destruction, forced displacement, torture and ill-treatment.”
“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,” their statement read.
While the experts welcomed the fact-finding mission being carried out by lawyers and human rights defenders and the follow-up by the Supreme Court on the situation, it asserted that the response “could have come in a timelier manner.”
UN experts appalled by reports of violence targeting hundreds of women & girls, predominantly of Kuki ethnic minority in Manipur, including gang rape, killings & beatings: 'A tragic milestone in steadily deteriorating situation for minorities in India'https://t.co/9GfSdyfqt6 pic.twitter.com/NRPBweXk93
— UN Special Procedures (@UN_SPExperts) September 4, 2023
To this end, they urged the court to continue monitoring the government’s response, “with a focus on justice, accountability, and reparations.”
Moreover, they urged New Delhi “to step up relief efforts to those affected and to take robust and timely action to investigate acts of violence and hold perpetrators to account, including public officials who may have aided and abetted the incitement of racial and religious hatred and violence.”
Violence in Manipur
The UN’s latest statement comes after violence broke out in Manipur on 3 May, triggered by the Manipur High Court asking the state government to consider the Scheduled Tribe Status for the Meitei community in Manipur.
Following the order, a Tribal Solidarity March was planned in the hill areas, and violence began with the Meiteis and Kukis clashing across the state.
By mid-August 2023, the UN said that an estimated 160 persons had been killed, mostly from the Kuki ethnic community, and over 300 injured. In addition, tens of thousands of people from both communities were displaced.