PUBLIC AI Index: ASA 20/26/99 UA 165/99 Fear for safety 14 July 1999 INDIAWahengbam Joykumar Singh, 28, human rights defender Wahengbam Joykumar Singh has been forced to move from his home after he was reportedly threatened with death by a member of the Assam Rifles (a branch of the armed forces), in connection with his work as a human rights defender. Joykumar, from Yaripok in the Thoubal district of the north-eastern state of Manipur, is a community worker in the United Voluntary Youth Council. He has also been involved in the work of Joint Action Committees, which campaign for redress for victims of human rights violations by the security forces. In March 1999 a 14-year-old girl committed suicide after she was detained by the Assam Rifles and questioned about her alleged links with an armed group. Joykumar persuaded the girl’s father to file a complaint with the Manipur State Human Rights Commission, accusing a captain of the 7th Battalion of the Assam Rifles of illegally detaining and harassing her. On 27 June 1999 at around 6.30pm, Joykumar was stopped by members of the Assam Rifles, who took his identity card and told him to collect it the next morning from the Assam Rifles camp in Yaripok. The men reportedly told him not to go to the police, and that unless he did as he was told his house would be raided and he would be arrested. Joykumar went to the camp the next morning at around 7.30am, and was met by the captain, who reportedly questioned him about two complaints filed with the Manipur State Human Rights Commission in March 1999 in which he was named, including that concerning the 14-year-old girl. The captain reportedly threatened to have Joykumar killed unless the complaints against him were dropped. He also threatened to plant evidence against Joykumar and have him charged with giving support to armed groups unless he stopped his human rights work. Joykumar was questioned until 2.30pm. He was not ill-treated, but was reportedly made to sign a statement that he was in good health before he left the camp. On 10 July, the captain led several Assam Rifles personnel to Joykumar’s house. As Joykumar was not there, the captain told his younger brother to tell Joykumar to come to the Assam Rifles camp the next day. Joykumar has since gone into hiding. A complaint concerning the threats against Joykumar was filed with the Manipur State Human Rights Commission on 12 July. The Commission asked the Manipur Director General of Police to ensure Joykumar’s personal safety and security, and to submit a compliance report by 20 July. The issue was also referred to the National Human Rights Commission in New Delhi. BACKGROUND INFORMATION Manipur has been riven by internal conflict for decades, fueled by economic under-development, drug-smuggling and corruption. Local armed opposition groups within Manipur are making conflicting demands for greater autonomy and self-determination. 2 During the conflict the security forces have been responsible for widespread human rights violations. For some years Amnesty International has expressed concern about illegal detention, torture, rape, death in custody and an official policy which appears to sanction killings by security forces. Special legislation introduced in Manipur decades ago, in the form of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, allows the armed forces virtual impunity. This makes the work of human rights defenders extremely difficult. In response to human rights violations, local people have come together to protest at the activities of the security forces - most commonly forming Joint Action Committees to campaign for redress for victims. The Manipur State Human Rights Commission was established in 1998 under provisions of the Protection of Human Rights Act 1993. It is one of only nine State Commissions established to date in India. RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send telegrams/faxes/express/airmail letters in English or your own language: - urging the authorities to immediately guarantee the safety of Wahengbam Joykumar Singh, who has reportedly been threatened with death by a captain of the 7th Battalion of the Assam Rifles in Manipur; - urging the authorities to immediately order an independent inquiry into these allegations; - urging the authorities to give a commitment that human rights defenders will be free to carry out their peaceful activities without fear or harassment, and that action will be taken against anyone interfering with those activities. APPEALS TO: Minister of Home Affairs Ministry of Home Affairs North Block, New Delhi 110 001, India Telegrams:Home Minister, New Delhi, India Faxes:+ 91 11 301 5750 Salutation: Dear Home Minister Minister of Defence Ministry of Defence South Block, New Delhi 110 001, India Telegrams:Defence Minister, New Delhi, India Faxes:+ 91 11 301 5403 (this number can be difficult to reach at certain times) Salutation:Dear Minister COPIES TO: Mr Nipamacha Chief Minister of Manipur Office of the Chief Minister Imphal, Manipur, India and to diplomatic representatives of India accredited to your country. PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 25 August 1999. .