ISLAMABAD – UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights hasexpressed serious concern over continued human rights violations inOccupied Kashmir.
A statement issued in Geneva today by spokesperson of OHCHR Rupert Colvilleurges the Indian authorities to unlock the situation and fully restore therights that are currently being denied.
The statement says twelve weeks ago, on 5 August, the government of Indiarevoked constitutional provisions granting partial autonomy to the state ofJammu and Kashmir and announced the creation of two separatefederally-administered Union Territories, which will come into effect thisThursday. At the same time, very restrictive measures were imposed.Although some of these measures have been relaxed, their impact on humanrights continues to be widely felt.
The undeclared curfew imposed by the authorities in the region isreportedly still in place in large parts of the Kashmir Valley, preventingthe free movement of people, as well as hampering their ability to exercisetheir right to peaceful assembly, and restricting their rights to health,education and freedom of religion and belief.
There have been several allegations of excessive use of force including theuse of pellet-firing shotguns, tear gas and rubber bullets by securityforces during sporadic protests, with unconfirmed reports of at least sixcivilian killings and scores of serious injuries in separate incidentssince 5 August.
The statement mentions reports of armed groups operating in OccupiedKashmir threatening residents trying to carry out their normal business orattend school, as well as several allegations of violence against peoplewho have not complied with the armed groups’ demands. At least another sixpeople have been killed and over a dozen injured in alleged attacks byarmed group members since 5 August.
The statement says hundreds of political and civil society leaders,including three former Chief Ministers of Jammu and Kashmir, have beendetained on a preventative basis. Most senior leaders, especially thosefrom the Kashmir Valley, remain in detention.
Read Top Stories
It says the OHCHR has also received a number of allegations of torture andill-treatment of people held in detention. These must be independently andimpartially investigated.
The statement adds that all internet services remain blocked in the KashmirValley. Media outlets continue to face undue restrictions, with at leastfour local journalists allegedly arrested in the past three months.
It says the Supreme Court of India has been slow to deal with petitionsconcerning habeas corpus, freedom of movement and media restrictions.
Meanwhile, major political decisions about the future status of Jammu andKashmir have been taken without the consent, deliberation or active andinformed participation of the affected population. Their leaders aredetained, their capacity to be informed has been badly restricted, andtheir right to freedom of expression and to political participation hasbeen undermined.
