Imphal: Twenty-five civil society groups want the Manipur government to pressure New Delhi to ratify the United Nations Convention Against Torture. Led by Human Rights Alert and the Manipur International Youth Centre, these activists delivered a memorandum to the Chief Minister on the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture.
India signed the global pact back in 1997. It still hasn't ratified the deal. The groups argue that Manipur suffers from high levels of custodial violence and rights abuses. They believe formal ratification will provide victims with better legal protections and healthcare access.
The activists point to a 2017 Law Commission recommendation supporting the move. They also noted that India has repeatedly promised to ratify the convention during international human rights reviews. The memorandum states that many victims in the state remain silent because of "fear, trauma and social stigma."
Alongside the UN convention, the coalition wants an official action plan for the 2026 UN Charter of Rights of Victims and Survivors of Torture. This framework would prioritize legal remedies for those harmed in custody. High-profile activists including Babloo Loitongbam and Basanta Wareppa signed the document, demanding the state government take a firm stance with the Centre.
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