SIPHRO

Imphal, June 2, 2006: The Human Rights Alert, HRA, has strongly defended its appeal for cross-examination of the victims of the alleged mass rapes at Parbung and Lungthulien before the Rajkhowa commission of inquiry, asserting that there is no other way to legally affirm the truth of their allegations.

Reacting to sentiments expressed in this connection by the Hmar Women`s Association, HRA executive director, Babloo Loitongbam clarified that the evidence available to the human rights group till date, including the evidence gathered during the fact-finding mission to Mizoram and Tipaimukh subdivision is wholly inadequate to establish beyond reasonable doubt the mass rape as alleged by the Hmar civil society organisations.

Elaborating, the statement said during the on-the-spot visit between March 5 to 10, Loitongbam, was given an opportunity to observe on March 7, for less than 10 minutes, an interview by other team members of four alleged rape victims at Sakawrdai relief camp.

Thereafter, the next day, at the house of the Lungthulien village chief, he was presented with a petition listing 21 Hmar women allegedly raped by UNLF and KCP victims on January 16, 2006.

Later the same day, he recorded the allegations of rape of four women of Parbung from a villager. However another villager sitting next to the latter contested that it was only an attempt to rape and not rape as such. After some discussion in Hmar language, Loitongbam was asked to record it as attempt to rape, the statement said.

While recalling that the HRA, in the interest of finding out the truth and upholding justice, had filed an affidavit to the Rajkhowa commission incorporating its findings, the statement said the HRA has also been insisting on the due process of law, which includes the cross examination not only of the alleged victims but also the alleged perpetrators and witnesses.

HRA fully understands and shares the concerns of the Hmar Women`s Association when the alleged rape victims are necessarily asked to narrate their stories before the commission. But HRA knows of no other way to legally affirm their allegations without a cross examination, the statement said.

It recalled that all women victims of sexual violence in Maipur in the recent past, including Ahanjaobi, Bina, Pramo, Thoinu, etc went through the same ordeal of cross examination before justice could be dispensed.

Source: The Imphal Free Press