To stop bloodshed and human rights violations in the region, Kashmiri’s delegation briefs OIC-IPHRC

GENEVA (PNI) Kashmiri delegation Altaf Hussain Wani, Syed Faiz Naqashbandi, Sardar Amjad Yousaf, Hassan ul Bana, Dr. Saira Shah and Zaffar Qurashi while briefing the members of the OIC-IPHRC about the fast deteriorating political and human rights situation in Kashmir has sought the Commission’s urgent intervention to help-stop bloodshed and human rights violations in the region.

During its meeting with Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) the Kashmiri delegation, which is currently in Geneva to attend the 51st session of the UNHRC, impressed upon IPHRC to take all stakeholders on board to hold Indian government accountable for the actions it had taken on Kashmir unilaterally. During the upcoming UPR meeting, the delegates said that the OIC_IPHRC should mount pressure on India to oblige its commitments vis-à-vis the improvement of the human rights situation in the UN recognized disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir, repeal all draconian laws and revoke all the actions it had taken on Kashmir since August 5, 2019.

Highlighting the Indian government’s repressive policies, the delegation apprised the IPHRC members that along with policies of oppression and suppression, the India’s apartheid regime has been using colonial era tactics to suppress political dissent, disempowerment of indigenous population through political and administrative machinations. Referring to Indian government’s anti-Kashmir policies, they said that the policies such as land grab, dispossessions, forced evictions and illegal confiscation of civilians’ properties and granting voting rights to non-Kashmiris have been central to the BJP’s settler colonialism project aimed at changing the demographic complexion of the state.

In order to bring a demographic shift in the valley, they said that the Indian government has enacted a series of laws that not only allow outsiders to settle in the region but also buy land and seek other privileges.

Regarding the clampdown on peaceful dissent in the region, the Kashmiri delegation said that the ruthless suppression of dissent by the Indian authorities has left no space for democratic dissent in the region.

“Restrictions on civil rights activists, confiscation of property, harassment and humiliation of civilians by the armed forces has become a new norm”, they said adding that use and abuse of laws have led to wholesale arrest of political and human rights activists.

On misuse of “anti-terrorism laws”, the delegation pointed out that the Indian government has been using PSA and UAPA to silence legitimate political voices and all those who have been critical to India’s hostile policy towards Kashmiris. They said that detention of prominent rights activist Khurum Parvez and top rank political leaders serve as an eye opener for the world as to how India was using black laws to enable silence in Kashmir.

The OIC-IPHRC members including Dr. Hacı Ali Açıkgül, Mahmoud Mostafa Afifi, Fahad bin Abdullah Al Ajlan and Dr. Saqlain on the occasion assured the Kashmiri delegation that the IPHRC would use its diplomatic clout to bring world focus towards the abysmal situation in Kashmir.

They said that the IPHRC has time and again expressed its concern over the human rights situation in the Indian held territory. “We will keep on reporting to OIC Foreign Ministers and other relevant bodies regarding the situation in Kashmir”,