News Analysis |
In another major diplomatic breakthrough, Pakistan has successfully pleaded the case of innocent Kashmiris being targeted by Indian soldiers. According to details, members of the European Parliament (MEPs), who are on a visit to Pakistan, Tuesday, underlined the need for resolving the longstanding Kashmir issue between Pakistan and India, saying the massive human rights violations being committed in the Indian occupied Kashmir (IoK) could no longer be ignored by the world community.
It is important to note that a United Nations report accused India of human rights violations in occupied Kashmir and has called for the formation of a commission of inquiry into the allegations.
A member of the European Parliament also called on India “to end violence against women & children in IOK. Voices of Kashmiri women & children must be heard.”
A 43-page report released by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on Monday said the Muslim-majority region of Kashmir is claimed in full by both India and Pakistan, who have fought two wars so far over the Himalayan territory.
The UN report says the heightened tensions in Kashmir following the February suicide bombings, killing Indian soldiers, continues to have a severe effect on the human rights of civilians, including the right to life.
According to the Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS), 586 people, including 160 civilians, 267 rebels and 159 Indian security personnel were killed last year – the highest since 2008.
Read more: Human rights abuses in Indian Occupied Kashmir (Part 1)
Amnesty International raises concerns
Recently, Amnesty International stated that the Indian government is widely misusing a law allowing for detention without trial in Occupied Kashmir. The human rights organizations have been repeatedly saying that India is violating international law and targeting civilian population across India occupied Kashmir.
According to the JKCCS 586 people, including 160 civilians, 267 rebels and 159 Indian security personnel were killed last year – the highest since 2008.
The head of Amnesty International India Aakar Patel said the Public Safety Act is a “lawless law” under which the authorities hold children, old people and the disabled. He said this act is contributing to inflaming tensions between the state authorities and local populace and must be immediately repealed.
According to the statement, the Public Safety Act circumvents the criminal justice system in Kashmir to undermine accountability, transparency and respect for human rights. It said, the text of the PSA violates several of India’s obligations under international human rights law, including respecting detainees’ fair trial rights.
Read more: Kashmir: India’s Human Rights violations from “pellet guns” to “Killer gangs”?
International community wants peace in Kashmir
The international community has raised its concerns over the brutalities being committed by India. Recently, European Parliament stood up for the people of Kashmir. “Members of European Parliament called on India to immediately put a halt to its atrocities in Indian Occupied Kashmir and carry out investigations into the incidents of grave human rights violations.”
Members of European Parliament called on India to immediately put a halt to its atrocities in Indian Occupied Kashmir and carry out investigations into the incidents of grave human rights violations. pic.twitter.com/MIbrRULsqJ
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) February 20, 2019
The report of the United Nations’ Office of High Commissioner on Human Rights (OHCHR) on Kashmir recently concluded that the situation in India occupied Kashmir is worst. Christine Chung, one of the authors of the report was invited to the event by the sub-committee. It is worth noting here that the OHCHR issued it’s first-ever report on the situation in Kashmir June 14, 2018.
Read more: Human Rights: The tragedy of Indian occupation in Kashmir
The report highlights the protests after the martyrdom of Burhan Wani in 2016 and the brutal use of pellet guns against protesters among the human rights violations in Indian-held Kashmir. The report noted that Indian armed forces not only use force indiscriminately but also rape and humiliate Kashmiri women. A member of the European Parliament also called on India “to end violence against women & children in IOK. Voices of Kashmiri women & children must be heard.”
EU @TheresaMEP called on India to end violence against women & children in IOK. Voices of Kashmiri women & children must be heard @ EU Parl HR Committee Meeting in Brussels 19 Feb #KashmirBleeds @ForeignOfficePk @AmbNaghmanaHash @LodhiMaleeha pic.twitter.com/M1W7tzbb7g
— Nauman Bashir Bhatti (@NaumanMFA) February 20, 2019