Pakistan notes with concern the experts’ observations that India’s actions have resulted in extensive
A file photo of a protest in Indian-occupied Kashmir. PHOTO: REUTERS
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan on Wednesday noted with grave concern the latest findings of the United Nations Special Procedures experts regarding India’s illegal measures in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
The report, released on November 24, once again highlights the serious and systematic human rights violations suffered by Kashmiris under Indian occupation, according to a press release issued by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He added that Pakistan notes with concern the experts’ observations that India’s actions have resulted in the arbitrary and mass arrest and detention of nearly 2,800 people, including journalists, students and human rights defenders.
The persistent application of draconian laws, such as the Public Safety Act (PSA) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), has facilitated indefinite and unjustifiable detentions.
Equally and profoundly deplorable are the cases of torture, deaths in custody, incommunicado detention, denial of due process and family contact, punitive demolitions and forced evictions, recurring communications blackouts and suppression of press freedom – including the blocking of 8,000 social media accounts – as well as the rise in hate speech, lynchings and harassment directed against Kashmiris and Muslim communities across India. disturbing.
The Foreign Office spokesperson further highlighted that these findings reaffirm Pakistan’s long-standing concerns over state-sponsored persecution of Kashmiri Muslims as well as discrimination against minorities across India.
Pakistan called on India to end its coercive measures and unconditionally release all those arbitrarily detained at IIOJK. We further urge India to take concrete steps to end the persecution of all religious minorities, particularly Muslims and Christians.
Pakistan reiterates its commitment to a peaceful, just and lasting resolution of the dispute in Jammu and Kashmir, in accordance with the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. “We urge India to end its repressive policies, reverse demographic and legal changes, restore fundamental freedoms, and sincerely engage in meaningful dialogue.”
Pakistan will continue to extend moral, political and diplomatic support to the Kashmiri people in their just struggle against foreign occupation, the statement added.
UN experts on Monday raised the alarm over “serious human rights violations” by the Indian government in Indian-occupied Kashmir, following the Pahalgam terror attack in April this year, for which Delhi blamed Islamabad without any evidence.
The UN experts’ findings noted that Indian forces arrested more than 2,000 Kashmiris and demolished several houses in a widespread crackdown following the Pahalgam attack.
They further highlighted reports of punitive house demolitions, forced evictions and arbitrary displacements, and noted that some detainees were allegedly tortured, held incommunicado and denied access to lawyers and family members.
“These measures constitute disproportionate restrictions on the freedoms of expression, association and peaceful assembly,” the experts noted.
