U.S. Department of State 2023 Country Reports paint grim picture of human rights in IIOJK, India
Washington: The U.S. Department of State’s 2023 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices has raised concerns about the human rights situation in both occupied Jammu and Kashmir and across India.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the report details issues such as extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, arbitrary detentions, harassment of journalists and human rights defenders, and the demolition of houses and properties in the occupied territory as well as against minorities inside India.
These violations are primarily attributed to Indian armed forces in IIOJK and across India, with concerns raised about the targeting of Muslim communities.
The report states that between 2016 and 2022, 813 cases of extrajudicial killings were reported, with only one conviction of an army officer recorded in occupied Jammu and Kashmir during that period. Instances of disappearances facilitated by government authorities were also noted, and concerns were raised about police failing to file necessary arrest reports.
The UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances expressed concern about the treatment of Kashmiri human rights defenders and called for their release.
The report further discusses the draconian Public Safety Act, which allows authorities to detain individuals without charges or judicial review for up to two years. As of February, over 800 people remained in detention under this act in occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
Additionally, numerous incidents were reported involving investigations of journalists and human rights activists in the territory, with at least 35 journalists facing assaults, police interrogations, and fabricated cases.
It’s important to note that the Indian government often cites security concerns and counter-terrorism efforts as justifications for some of these actions. However, the report highlights the need for greater accountability and transparency to ensure the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the region.
These reports highlight the ongoing human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir, where the government continues to suppress dissent and curtail basic freedoms. The lack of accountability for these abuses fuels a cycle of violence and fear, further jeopardizing the region’s fragile peace.
