Fai seeks UN initiative for people of Jammu and Kashmir
#KashmirNeedsWorldAttention
Geneva: Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Chairman World Forum for Peace & Justice, has drawn attention of the United Nations Human Rights Council towards deteriorating human rights situation in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir as the Council begins its 58th session in Geneva to discuss its agenda item 8, which is ‘follow up to and implementation of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action’.
According to Kashmir Media Service, as per the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, the World Conference on Human Rights considers human rights education, training and public information essential for the promotion and achievement of stable and harmonious relations among communities and individuals.
Dr Fai in his statement said, there is always an opportunity for an aggressive program to elevate human rights issues to the forefront of the international community’s agenda.
“We believe that there are several ways for the United Nations to focus attention on its efforts to increase world attention on the promotion of fundamental human rights. As the Human Rights Council addresses the agenda item 8, it should use its opportunity to reassert its relevancy in world affairs by taking concrete steps to reduce rights violations in several areas. By addressing smaller less intractable situations, the United Nations can show positive movement, create a culture of human rights successes and raise awareness,” the statement said.
One such area is Jammu & Kashmir which is still pending on the agenda of the Security Council since 1948. In Jammu & Kashmir, the credibility of the United Nations itself is put to the test on a daily basis. A United Nations initiative at this time will be the most important positive step taken in years for the people of Kashmir.
“However, a new and disturbing trend has developed, and it saddens me to bring it to the attention of the officials of United Nations Human Rights Council. It is clear that those human rights defenders who speak out against human rights violations in Kashmir are being targeted by the Indian authorities. The result: increased disappearances, imprisonment, threats to the families, associates, and relatives of those who speak or write even on social media,” he deplored.
“One prime example is that of Khurram Parvez who is quite known to the various United Nations Special Experts, including: Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances; Luciano Hazan (Chair-Rapporteur), Aua Baldé (Vice-Chair), Tae-Ung Baik, Gabriella Citroni, Henrikas Mickevičius, Ms. Mary Lawlor, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders; Ms. Fionnuala Ní Aoláin, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while counter-terrorism; and Mr. Morris Tidball-Binz, Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions.”
“The most alarming development took place on March 11, 2025 in Kashmir, when the Awami Action Committee headed by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was declared as an unlawful association by Government of India,” Dr Fai added.
