*ISLAMABAD – The United Nations special rapporteur on the promotion andprotection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, David Kayehas said that the current situation in occupied Kashmir is deeplydisturbing, Radio Pakistan reported.*
David Kaye in an interview with New Delhi-based monthly magazine* TheCarvan* said that the Indian authorities have repeatedly over the lastseveral years shut down the internet in occupied Kashmir, particularlyaround times of protests.
He said the shutting down of internet and the current situation is reallyquite draconian.
He said shutting down all communication is a disproportionate interferencewith the freedom of expression of people in Kashmir.
To a query, David Kaye said that it was important for the UN SecurityCouncil to go beyond closed-door meetings.
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He said that if it took its role as an international body to maintaininternational peace and security seriously, it should also recognize theattacks on the media, the people of Kashmir and on the freedom ofexpression in Kashmir.
He said that he would like to see the political bodies, including theSecurity Council and General Assembly, recognize that assaults oncommunications amount not only to a violation of human rights, but alsopotential threats to peace and security.
Referring to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the UNGeneral Assembly in December 1948, David Kaye said, the human rights law isbinding on India just like all other member states of the UN.