DFP urges global access to Kashmiri political prisoners in Indian jails
Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) has expressed grave concern over the conditions of Kashmiri political prisoners incarcerated in various Indian jails, particularly Tihar and Agra prisons, and urged international human rights organisations to seek unhindered access to them.
According to Kashmir Media Service, DFP general secretary Dr Ghulam Rasool in a statement said Kashmiri political leaders, activists and youth, including Shabbir Ahmed Shah, Muhammad Yasin Malik, Aasiya Andrabi, Masrat Alam Butt, Naeem Ahmad Khan, Fahmeeda Sofi and Nahida Nasreen, remain imprisoned under harsh conditions. He expressed particular concern over the availability of medical care, clean drinking water, ventilation, sanitation, food and other basic facilities amid the prevailing extreme heat.
He urged Amnesty International, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the United Nations and other international human rights organisations to take immediate notice of the situation and press the Indian government to allow independent and unhindered international access to prisons holding Kashmiri political prisoners.
The DFP leader specifically appealed to the International Committee of Red Crosd (ICRC) to seek permission to visit the prisons, meet detainees privately and confidentially, and independently assess their humanitarian and detention conditions.
He called for immediate international access to the prisons, independent assessment of medical, food, water, sanitation and ventilation facilities, urgent medical examinations and treatment for vulnerable prisoners, regular family visits and communication, particularly for detainees held far from Jammu and Kashmir, and continuous international monitoring of their humanitarian and legal conditions.
Dr Ghulam Rasool stressed that irrespective of allegations or charges against any detainee, every prisoner is entitled to humane treatment, dignity, medical care, adequate food and water, family contact and legal assistance.
He said Kashmiri political prisoners must not be forgotten or reduced to mere names on detention lists, urging the international community to ensure that their conditions are independently monitored and their fundamental rights protected.
