WHO WE ARE

The Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) was formed on 9 September 1978 in response to the Naga peoples long felt need for an organized movement to further their human rights which had been systematically abused by the Indian state. Since its formation, NPMHR has been a platform which has consistently worked towards achieving respect for, protection of, and promotion of the rights of the Naga people, and others. In its history, NPMHR has consistently highlighted and exposed the gross violation of rights perpetrated by the Indian state against the Nagas, as well as other communities.

The Indian State’s reliance on military forces to crush the aspirations of Nagas to have their rights recognized and respected as other peoples in the world, terming such aspirations as problems of “law and order” resulted in massive human rights violations. NPMHR attempts to give organised expression to the Naga people’s fight for their rights while exposing to the people of India and the world, the imperialist policies that the ruling classes of India has been pursuing against the Nagas.

While the formation of NPMHR was informed by violation of civil and political rights by Indian military forces against the Nagas, the concern of NPMHR is not confined to the violation of these rights but also focus on state structure and development models which combine to generate the process of ecological depletion and violence. Further, Nagas are now experiencing new dimensions and facing new challenges in the quest for the respect and recognition of their rights. Besides civil and political rights, economic, social, and cultural rights are becoming increasingly crucial with the growing influence of globalization in decision-making.

NPMHR is mostly self-funded, with some private donations from well-wishers. It relies chiefly on the volunteerism of its members in carrying out its activities.

DECLARATION OF NPMHR

Mankind has made history through the struggle for freedom from exploitation and subjugation. And history of the Naga people has taught us that there are forces both inside and outside the society collaborating in strangulating social progress.

Our people have seen economic exploitation, political and military domination social suppression with the imposition of alien cultural and legal systems, and the distortion of their history.

In the light of these experiences, the Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights takes upon itself the task of initiating organised struggle for achieving the following;

To ensure and safeguard:

1. the right to life;

2. the right to work;

3. the right to live together as a people and the unification of all Naga lands;

4. the right to hold and communicate one's beliefs;

5. the freedom of movement, assembly and association;

6. free access to all places of learning;

7. maximum participation of the people in the making of decisions affecting their lives;

8. freedom from socio-economic exploitation, political domination and military repression;

9. against anti-democratic practices and the dismantling of institutions and social values which legitimize and perpetuate these within our society;

10. against the practices of arbitrary arrest, detention, torture and execution, and the use of unconventional weapons;

11. against the imposition of undesirable alien legal systems and socio-cultural concepts and ways of life.

ACTIVITIES

In consistently working towards achieving the above state objectives, NPMHR undertakes different programs including awareness and education on human rights, capacity building, monitoring and intervention, campaign and advocacy, networking, documentation and dissemination, and legal challenges and assistance. NPMHR has also taken up relief work for victims of rights violations.