In response to the ongoing ethnic conflict in Manipur, rights organizations have called for the safe release of children being used as fighters by various armed groups. The Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC), Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MCPCR), and Manipur State Commission for Women (MSCW) have urged law enforcement agencies to treat these children as needing care and protection rather than combatants. Speaking to journalists in Imphal, MCPCR Chairperson K Pradipkumar highlighted the disturbing trend of communities recruiting minors as frontline fighters, a clear violation of United Nations norms prohibiting the use of child soldiers. He emphasized the absence of official statistics on the number of children involved but reiterated the steadfast advisory against their recruitment. The organizations appeal to the police, army, and paramilitary forces to reintegrate these children into society and ensure their safety.
Furthermore, the MHRC plans to submit recommendations to high-ranking officials, including the chief secretary and the director general of police, focusing on addressing issues faced by internally displaced persons. These recommendations are based on observations from a recent stakeholders’ consultation meeting in Bishnupur district. The call for action underlines a pressing need for a collaborative effort to safeguard vulnerable youth from being drawn into armed conflicts, highlighting the dire humanitarian implications of such recruitments. Overall, the appeal serves as a critical reminder of the broader obligations to protect children’s rights amidst the complexities of conflict situations.
Original Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/manipurs-rights-bodies-appeal-for-safe-release-of-children-engaged-as-fighters/articleshow/117753901.cms
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Publish Date: 2025-01-31 00:36:00
