UNPO, Indigenous People's Org Condemn Indian Govt's Travel Ban on Naga Human Rights Activist
New Delhi: This past April 7, well-known Naga human rights activist Neingulo Krome was stopped at New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport from leaving the country to attend a conference in Kathmandu.
The Indian government's action has come at a time when the Naga peace talks have reached a deadlock.
Sources told The Wire that Krome, secretary general of Naga People's Movement for Human Rights, was to speak at a conference held by the Asia Indigenous People's Pact (AIPP) in Kathmandu. In February 2020, Krome, a former executive member of AIPP, was also prevented from leaving the country for Bangkok at the Kolkata airport.
Condemning the Indian government's travel restrictions on Krome 'without any valid explanation or legal justification', AIPP, in a statement issued on April 17 said, 'AIPP views these actions as arbitrary, unjust, and deeply troubling. Preventing individuals from travelling without legal due process is not only a violation of fundamental human rights but reflects the arbitrary exercise of power by the authorities.'
Calling upon the government to 'immediately clarify the legal grounds for travel restrictions' on him, the statement said, 'In a democratic country like India, no fundamental right – including the right to travel abroad – can be curtailed by the state without due process of law.
The right to travel abroad is a fundamental facet of personal liberty and is protected under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.'
Also Read: NSCN Founder's Son Leaves For Myanmar to Join Dissident Naga Leaders, Blames GOI For 'Hypocrisy'
'We call upon the concerned authorities to cease harassment of Indigenous human rights defenders without valid reasons and due process of law.'
In a statement issued on the matter this April 16, United Nations and People's Organisation (UNPO) said, 'This marks a continuation of restrictions imposed on his freedom of movement in 2020 and exemplifies a broader trend of restrictions on civil society and indigenous rights defenders in India.'
'UNPO condemns this incident as a serious infringement on fundamental rights and a reflection of the broader, systemic clampdown on human rights defenders and civil society actors in India, including those representing indigenous and minority communities such as the Naga people.' The statement said aside from attending the conference in Kathmandu, Krome was also travelling 'to access medical treatment'.
'Restriction on Krome's movement raises serious concerns'
Stating that Krome has been a speaker at various UN fora for several years, the UNPO statement said, 'The restriction on Mr. Krome's movement raises serious concerns about the state of civic space and democratic engagement in India. In recent years, there has been a marked intensification of legal and administrative measures affecting non-governmental organisations, community leaders, and human rights defenders.'
'These include the use of counter-terrorism legislation, limitations on foreign funding under the Foreign Contribution Act, crackdowns on human right defenders. The cumulative effect of these measures has been to curtail the capacity of civil society actors to participate meaningfully in domestic and international dialogue,' said the UNPO statement.
The Socialist Party (India) has also condemned the government preventing the Naga activist from travelling out of the country. In a statement, its general secretary Sanjeev Pandey and national committee member Alice Achumi said 'Neingulo Krome is well known for advocacy of Naga and indigenous people's rights. It is reprehensible that Government of India instead of implementing the Framework Agreement of 2015 signed with the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isac-Muivah) is trying to impose travel restrictions on activists like Neingulo Krome. It is obvious that the government is trying to cover up its failure in implementing the Framework Agreement, 2015 and doesn't want activists to criticize its failure.'
The statement demanded that the government 'conclude the Naga peace process to the satisfaction of Naga people at the earliest.'
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