Shabbir Shah’s continued illegal detention despite judicial relief worrisome: JKDFP
Srinagar: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) has expressed deep concern and strong protest over the continued obstruction of the release of party Chairman Shabbir Ahmed Shah, the conduct adopted in the bail case and his deteriorating health.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the DFP General Secretary Dr Ghulam Rasool, in a statement issued in Srinagar said the Indian Supreme Court had directed the completion of the relevant court proceedings, paving the way for granting bail to Shabbir Ahmed Shah.
He said contrary to the spirit of this judicial development, instead of granting him immediate release, he was shifted from India to Jammu region. This move is not only contrary to the requirements of justice but also reflects inhuman treatment of an ailing political leader whose health is continuously deteriorating, he lamented.
He said. Shabbir Ahmed Shah is suffering from multiple medical ailments, including prostate cancer, and the doctors had declared the long journey unsuitable in view of his health.
Despite this, he said, he was made to endure unnecessary travel hardships, while even in prison he is not being provided with the required medical facilities, access to specialist doctors and proper treatment, which is a clear violation not only of prison laws but also of international human rights and international standards related to prisoners.
Dr Ghulam Rasool said Shabbir Shah has been facing imprisonment, political revenge and severe physical and mental hardships for more than 39 years at different times. “Despite this long captivity, his determination, independence and principled stance of self-determination have never weakened. His unparalleled sacrifices are a bright symbol of the struggle of the Kashmiri people for freedom, dignity and justice, which history will always remember,” he remarked.
He said the DFP will continue to fully support the principled stance of its leader and the inalienable right to self-determination of the Kashmiri people. Neither the resolve of the Kashmiri people can be defeated nor can the dispute of Jammu and Kashmir be suppressed through force, coercion, political vendetta, illegal detentions and human rights violations, he maintained.
Dr Ghulam Rasool called upon the world community, United Nations and other international human rights organizations to take immediate notice of the deteriorating health, continued detention and lack of basic medical facilities of Shabbir Shah and play their role in protecting the fundamental rights of political prisoners in occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
He reiterated the resolve that DFP stands shoulder to shoulder with its leader and the day will surely come when the people of occupied Jammu and Kashmir will have the right to decide their political future in accordance with the relevant United Nations resolutions and their free will.
