Front Line Defenders urges the authorities in India to immediately cease all further harassment of Binalakshmi Nepram and her family

Who is Binalakshmi Nepram?

Binalakshmi Nepram is a human rights defender, an advocate for gender equality, a writer and long-standing WILPF partner. In 2007, in order to help women who are affected by gun violence in Manipur, Binalakshmi Nepram launched the Manipuri Women Gun Survivor Network (MWGSN). She is also leading work in India on the right to life by addressing anti-personnel landmines, cluster bombs and the international Arms Trade Treaty. She is the recipient of several national and international awards for her efforts to rehabilitate women suffering oppression and sufferers of armed conflict in Manipur and Northeast Region.

About the situation

On 12 May 2017, heavily armed Manipur police officers entered Binalakshmi Nepram’s family home in Imphal, in the Northeastern state of Manipur. The human rights defender was away from home at the time and her elderly parents were asked several questions about her in an intimidating manner. She has since refused to disclose her location for fear of being targeted.

What can we do?

Front Line Defenders urges the authorities in India to:

1. Immediately cease all further harassment of Binalakshmi Nepram and her family;

2. Take all necessary measures to guarantee the physical and psychological integrity and security of  Binalakshmi Nepram;

3. Cease targeting all human rights defenders in India and guarantee in all circumstances that they are able to carry out their legitimate human rights activities without fear of reprisals and free of all restrictions including judicial harassment.