Pakistan notes with alarm 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 UN Special Procedures Experts on India’s illegal measures in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
The report, released on November 24, once again underlines the serious and systematic human rights violations Kashmiris have endured under Indian occupation, according to a press release issued by the State Department spokesperson.
It added that Pakistan notes with dismay the experts’ observations that India’s actions have resulted in the widespread, arbitrary arrest and detention of nearly 2,800 people, including journalists, students and human rights defenders.
The continued application of draconian legislation such as the Public Safety Act (PSA) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) has facilitated unlimited and unjustified detentions.
Cases of torture, custodial deaths, deprivation of liberty, denial of due process and family contact, reprisals and forced suspensions, recurrent communications freezes and suppression of press freedom – including the blocking of 8,000 social media accounts – as well as the increase in hate speech, harassment across Kassami and Muslim groups, are as regrettable as they are deeply troubling.
The State Department spokesman further pointed out that these findings confirm Pakistan’s long-standing concerns regarding state-sponsored persecution of Kashmiri Muslims as well as discrimination against minorities across India.
Pakistan called on India to end its coercive measures and to unconditionally release all those arbitrarily detained in the IIOJK. We further call on India to take concrete steps to stop the persecution of all religious minorities, especially Muslims and Christians.
Pakistan reiterates its commitment to a peaceful, just and lasting solution to the Jammu and Kashmir conflict in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. “We urge India to halt its repressive policies, reverse demographic and legal changes, restore fundamental freedoms and engage sincerely in meaningful dialogue.”
Pakistan will continue to provide 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” in Indian-occupied Kashmir by the government of India in the wake of a terrorist attack in Pahalgam in April this year, which Delhi blamed on Islamabad without evidence.
The UN experts’ findings had noted that Indian forces arrested more than 2,000 Kashmiris and demolished several homes in a sweeping effort in the wake of the Pahalgam attack.
They further highlighted reports of punitive house demolitions, forced evictions and arbitrary displacement, noting that some detainees were allegedly tortured, held incommunicado and denied access to lawyers and family members.
“These measures are disproportionate restrictions on freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly,” the experts noted.
