Islamabad: (Parliament Times) Seeking international community’s attention towards the prevailing political and human rights situation in Kashmir the leaders of All Parties Hurriyat Conference Pak chapter here on Thursday called upon the world community to influence upon Indian to open up its borders for international investigation and abide by international human rights standards.
While addressing a press conference in Islamabad, the APHC leaders told the reporters that India was not allowing UN fact find mission to visit Kashmir as repeatedly demanded by High Commissioner of human rights.
The Indian government’s reluctance and perpetual denial, they said was ample proof that heinous human rights abuses were taking place in the UN recognized disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir. “The reason behind the Indian government’s reluctance denial is clear that they wanted to hide the gruesome atrocities being inflicted upon the people of Kashmirâ€, they said adding that it was incumbent upon the international community to take effective notice of what they called as war crimes being committed by occupation forces in the region.
The international community they said must come forward in a big way and pressurize India to open its borders for international investigation and abide by international human rights standards. They said that it was high time that world bodies should take notice of massive human right abuses and Indian policy of Genocide in the region.
Citing the situation in Indian held Kashmir the Hurriyat representatives said, “Indiscriminate use of pellet and bullet firing on peaceful protestors has become order of the day. Injured are restrained from being treated in hospitals, Ambulances and medical staff are being attacked and harassed by Indian armyâ€.
Denouncing Indian authorities for using excessive brute force they said that Indian armed forces enjoy full impunity under the shield of black laws prevalent in the state. “No suit or case can lie against any Indian solider in any court of law. Indian forces are empowered with power to shoot to kill any Kashmiri at discretionâ€, they said adding that this situation has drastically increased human right violation in the restive region.
Giving an account of pellet-hit victims the APHC convener Syed Faiz Naqashbandi said, “We have over 20,000 pellet victims for last one year. Among these 67 Kashmiris have lost eye sight permanently and 193 have lost partial eye sightâ€. He said that 15,320 Kashmiris have been arrested and tortured by Indian forces and these victims include old, young, women and children of even 10 years of age.
He said that 775 Kashmiris have been booked under public safety Act and other draconian laws, whereas 143 Kashmiris have been martyred in direct firing. He said that using of innocent Kashmiris as human shields highlights yet another dangerous aspect of the Kashmir conflict. “There is no freedom of expression available in occupied Kashmir; it has been completely snatched by Indian army. Our leaders Syed Ali Shah Gillani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Yasin Malik, Shabir Ahmad Shah and other leaders are continuously under arrestâ€, he said.
Regarding the ban on prayers in Srinagar’s grand mosque they said, “Friday prayers are not allowed. Our grand mosque Jamie Masjid in Srinagar is frequently lockedâ€.
“Traders, relatives/family members of our leaders – Syed Ali Shah Gillani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Shabir Ahmad Shah are harassed and pressurized by Government of India through its agency (National Investigation agency)â€, the APHC leaders said adding that they were being involved in false cases.
Expressing their serious concern over the stepped up nocturnal raids and search operations by Indian army the Hurriyat representatives said, “Night raids by Indian armed forces are massive and innocent Kashmiris are arrested and taken to unknown destinationsâ€.
Besides APHC convener Syed Faiz Naqashbandi the press conference was addressed by Mehmood Ahmed Saghar, Abdul Majeed Mir and JKLF spokesman Rafique Ahmed Dar whereas Syed Ejaz Ahmed Shah and Abdul Hameed Lone were present on the occasion.
Attachments