Imphal: Ms. Kimneo Hangshing, MLA reportedly signed the Deed of Commitment, under Geneva Call (Appel de Genève) as the Secretary, KNO, an armed Kuki militant group. Hangshing is a sitting MLA in Manipur.
Her husband, David Hangshing, reportedly is the chairman of the Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA), an armed kuki militant group that has been under a Suspension of Operations agreement with the Government of India since 2008.
The Kuki National Organization drew a hard line by signing a formal deed with Geneva Call to outlaw sexual violence and gender discrimination in armed conflict zones. The fighters must stop. The binding pact covers the main organization and its many armed wings, including the Kuki National Army and the Zomi Revolutionary Front. The document explicitly acknowledges that acts of sexual violence may amount to war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. The new rules take effect immediately.
Strict Mandates on the Ground
The mandates enforce an absolute ban on sexual violence against anyone. No exceptions are allowed. The armed groups are strictly ordered to protect prisoners from abuse.
Under the terms of the agreement, the groups committed to concrete protections:
- Victim Support: They agreed to back victims with medical, psychological, and legal assistance.
- Reparations: Compensation packages are strictly required.
- Equality: The groups must strip away systemic bias to guarantee equal rights, health care, and education.
- Leadership: Frontline leaders must elevate female voices in their decision-making ranks.
Enforcement and Monitoring
Commanders hold direct responsibility for their subordinates. No excuses are accepted. If troops break the rules, leaders must investigate quickly and hand down severe sanctions.
Geneva Call will verify these promises on the ground. Field monitors get full access to conduct independent inspections and interview fighters or victims in private. Compliance will be tracked closely. Geneva Call retains the ultimate power to publicly expose any group that fails to comply.
Official Signatories
As per reports, officials finalized the deal on March 22, 2015. Defence Secretary TS Haokip and Secretary Women and Child Kimneo Hangshing (Sitting MLA, Manipur State Assembly) signed the agreement for the Kuki National Organization (KNO). Head of Operations Eric Ouannes and Programme Director Katherine Kramer signed on behalf of Geneva Call. The Government of the Republic and Canton of Geneva acts as the official custodian of the deeds.
As the information went viral in social media platforms, NEWire decided to cross verify the Deed of Commitment as is available in public domain: https://www.genevacall.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Kuki-National-Organisation-KNO-Sexual-violence-Gender-discrimination-2015.pdf
The 1st Page of Deed of Commitment | Geneva Call
2nd Page of Deed of Commitment | Geneva Call
3rd Page of Deed of Commitment | Geneva Call
4th Page of Deed of Commitment | Geneva Call
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