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The Act has invited national and international condemnation as it violates the human rights
standards.
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In 1991, the United Nations Human Rights Committee (UNHRC) questioned India on the
validity of the AFSPA.
Besides questioning the constitutionality of the AFSPA under Indian law, the committee
members asked how it could be justified in light of Article 4 of the International Covenant on
Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
The second UN protest against AFSPA came in 2009 when UN Commissioner for Human
Rights Navanethem Pillay in 2009 asked India to repeal AFSPA, citing that the Act breached
"contemporary international human rights standards".
The employment of the Act in Jammu Kashmir has also invited criticism from Amnesty
International as well as the Human Rights Watch (HRW) over the several cases of human
rights abuses in the valley.
What other Indian laws give excessive powers to law enforcement agencies?
The Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act
(COFEPOSA), 1974, and National Security Act (NSA), 1980, both have such provisions.
Other laws like Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) too curb fundamental rights in
the name of national security or public service.
Past Withdrawals
Despite opposition from the Central government, Manipur government withdrew the Act in
some parts in Aug 2004. Noting that the grievances of the Manipuri people were "legitimate"
, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had in Dec 2006 promised that the Act would be amended
to ensure it was 'humane'.
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