Shillong, December 11: On the occasion of the 20th Anniversary of the Meghalaya Peoples Human Rights Council (MPHRC), we join with the communities and civil society groups to staunchly claim human rights and firmly stand for the rights of all marginalised sectors this International Human Rights Day 2016. This year, the world has seen grave violations, neglect and outright disregard for basic human rights. MPHRC denounces any actions that curtail any human rights, which perpetrate fear, want and desperation in the hearts of the people.
MPHRC strongly call upon the Government, development finance institutions, and businesses to stand up for human rights. Respect for human rights is essential for development. The Declaration on the Right to Development recognizes that Government have a duty in both their state and national policymaking to promote universal respect for human rights, and development which aims at the constant improvement of the well-being of all. The Declaration affirms that the right to development is predicated on active, free and meaningful participation in development, and in equality of opportunity and the fair distribution of benefits without discrimination. The United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights further highlight the requirement that companies and Government, undertake human rights due diligence to ensure their investments respect human rights.
Unfortunately, today we continue to see investments in the name of development that do not meet the needs or respect the human rights of poor or marginalized communities. We see a shrinking space for civil society where communities are left out of critical development decisions and their participation is curtailed as government enact laws restricting fundamental freedoms. We see an environment where human rights defenders who speak out about development proposals find themselves labeled as “anti-development” and subjected to threats, intimidation, detention, and violent attacks.
The struggle of indigenous peoples to defend their fundamental and collective rights is indeed an enduring uphill battle. For this year’s Human Rights Day, MPHRC reaffirms its call on Government as the duty bearers to respect, protect and fulfill the rights of indigenous peoples. It also reiterates the call of indigenous women in the 16-day Activism against Gender-Based Violence Campaign to end social injustice and ensure equity and equality for all. Critical to women’s emancipation are the protection of indigenous peoples’ right to property and the recognition of women’s role and contribution to sustainable resource management, food security and biodiversity protection and enhancement.
As we celebrate Human Rights Day, we reaffirm the fundamental proposition of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights – that each one of us is entitled to the full range of human rights, and that it is everyone’s responsibility to uphold them.
We strongly call upon the Government to Stand up for Human Rights by taking the following steps, Promote Rights-Respecting Development. Adopt a policy commitment to respect human rights and implement due diligence to prevent human rights violations. Protect Civil Society Participation. Ensure meaningful participation in development processes and promote an enabling environment for civil society said Mr Dino DG Dympep Chairman of the MPHRC.
