UN Secretary General urged to address human rights crisis in IIOJK
Islamabad: Representatives of the civil society presented a memorandum on behalf of the people of occupied Jammu and Kashmir to United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, urging immediate action to address the escalating human rights crisis in the occupied territory.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the memorandum was delivered through the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) Islamabad and it highlighted the dire situation faced by the people of Kashmir under Indian occupation.
Since 1947, the residents of Indian Illegally Occupied Kashmir have endured a relentless struggle for their dignity, freedom, and justice. The memorandum underscores the systematic denial of fundamental rights, including the right to self-determination, by the Indian government. It emphasizes the use of brute force to suppress the aspirations of the Kashmiri people, leading to egregious human rights violations.
The memorandum details a litany of atrocities perpetrated by Indian security forces, including extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, fake encounters, and the indiscriminate use of pellet shotguns resulting in severe injuries and loss of vision. It also highlights the alarming prevalence of sexual violence against women, with over 11,255 reported cases of sexual assault by Indian forces in the last three decades.
Moreover, the memorandum condemns the unilateral actions of the Indian government, particularly the revocation of Article 370 and the introduction of laws aimed at altering the demographic composition of the region. It outlines a series of measures implemented by the Indian authorities to consolidate control over Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir, including the establishment of separate housing colonies and the confiscation of land belonging to indigenous Kashmiris.
The representatives expressed grave concern over the suppression of democratic dissent, arbitrary detention of political leaders, human rights defenders, and journalists under draconian laws such as the Public Safety Act and the Armed Forces Special Powers Act. They highlight the targeting of religious and social organizations, including the confiscation of properties and the closure of educational institutions, as part of a broader campaign to stifle dissent and erode Kashmiri identity.
In conclusion, the memorandum urged Secretary-General Guterres to intervene and press the Indian government to reverse constitutional changes, repeal draconian laws, restore fundamental rights, and facilitate a fact-finding mission to investigate the grave situation in Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir. It emphasizes the urgent need for international action to address the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the occupied territory.
