Five major civil society organisations in Manipur — AMAWOVA, AMUCO, COHR, MSF and Poirei Leimarol Apunba Manipur — will jointly observe International Human Rights Day on December 10, 2025, with programmes scheduled at multiple locations across the state. In a statement issued ahead of the observance, AMUCO president Sanjoy Sorokhaibam highlighted the continuing human rights challenges in Manipur, despite constitutional safeguards and international human rights norms.
Sorokhaibam noted that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), adopted on December 10, 1948, laid down 30 Articles ensuring fundamental civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights. These, he said, are echoed in the Fundamental Rights guaranteed under Articles 12 to 35 of the Indian Constitution.
However, he expressed concern that many of these rights remain curtailed in Manipur, particularly due to the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), 1958. Referring to the ongoing conflict that erupted on May 3, 2023, he said that more than 60,000 people have been displaced, around 250 lives lost, and 35 persons remain missing. Numerous families continue to suffer due to displacement, unsafe travel routes, broken livelihoods and limited access to welfare schemes. Despite the deployment of over 60,000 central paramilitary personnel, Sorokhaibam remarked that the state is yet to return to normalcy.
Referring to this year’s global theme, “Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now,” and India’s national theme, “Human Rights: Our Everyday Essentials,” he said the slogans reflect the urgent need to restore dignity and protect rights in the present crisis.
He also drew attention to the living conditions in relief camps, stating that many displaced families struggle to survive and that the current daily compensation of Rs. 84 for internally displaced persons is grossly inadequate. He added that buffer zones have made large portions of farmland inaccessible, delivering another blow to the state’s economy.
Sorokhaibam said public discourse increasingly points toward the need for political intervention, repeal of AFSPA, and long-term peace strategies. He urged the people of Manipur to uphold and defend fundamental human rights.
Observation Venues
International Human Rights Day programmes will be held at 10:00 AM on December 10 at the following locations:
THAU Ground, Thangmeiband
Menjor Unity Park, Khangabok
Universal Academy, Sekmaijin Khunnou
Ningthoukhong Bazar
Jiribam District Headquarters
