IMPHAL, Mar 25 : The UN high commissioner for human rights, Navanethem Pillay has called for the repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act.
On her maiden visit to India since her appointment the high commissioner met several national institutions, civil society organisations, human rights activists and NGOs from across the country.
At a high profile meeting held on March 22, the executive director of the Human Rights Alert, Imphal, Babloo Loitongbam delivered a brief overview on the rights situation in the north east with special reference to Manipur.
The UN official was quoted as saying that “India should repeal those dated and colonial-era laws that breach contemporary international human rights standards. These range from laws which provide the security forces with excessive emergency powers, including the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, to laws that criminalize homosexuality.”
Pillay was also reported to have discussed laws like the AFSPA during her visit with external affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee and home minister P Chidambaram.
The HRA has called the UN officials recommendation a significant one as it reiterates and further strengthens what human rights activists in India have been demanding.