Global Naga Forum raises FMR, AFSPA issues at UN forum

KOHIMA — The Global Naga Forum (GNF) on Friday brought issues concerning the Free Movement Regime (FMR) along the Indo-Myanmar border and the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), among others, to the attention of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) and sought support for the same.

Representing the GNF at the 23rd session of the UNPFII at UN Headquarters in New York on April 19, General Secretary of the forum, James Pochury, made a three-minute speech highlighting the prolonged struggle of the indigenous Naga people residing in the north-east of India and north-west Myanmar for over 75 years, advocating for their right to self-determination but without a just settlement.

He emphasised three critical issues confronting the Nagas — the Indian government’s decision to revoke the FMR agreement with Myanmar established in 2018, the construction of a fence along the Indo-Myanmar border, and the implementation of the AFSPA.

“These three things are interrelated. They all have to do with restricting and criminalising the Naga people in their own homeland by the Indian military force,” he stated.

He appealed to the UNPFII, on behalf of the GNF, to stand in solidarity with the Naga people by utilising its offices to urge India for the restoration of the FMR, cessation of the border fence project, revoking the AFSPA, and resumption of Indo-Naga political talks.

The 23rd session of the UNPFII commenced on April 15 on the theme ‘Enhancing indigenous peoples’ right to self-determination in the context of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: Emphasising the voices of Indigenous youth’. The session will conclude on April 26.

Established in the year 2000, the UNPFII serves as a high-level advisory body to the Economic and Social Council, addressing indigenous issues pertaining to economic and social development, culture, environment, education, health and human rights.