Geneva: (PR) Organisation of Kashmir Coalition (OKC) is following the 45th
session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) at Geneva, despite the Covid-19
pandemic, through its partner International Human Rights Association of American
Minorities (IHRAAM).
OKC notes with gratitude and welcomes the statement presented by the High
Commissioner for Human Rights, Madam Michelle Bachelet, at the above session of HRC,
parts of which are reproduced as follows:
“It has been more than a year since my last report
on both Indian and Pakistan Administered
Kashmir. In Indian Administered Kashmir, incidents
of military and police violence against civilians
continue including use of pellet guns as well as
incidents related to militancy. Major legal changes
including to the constitution and domicile rules are
generating deep anxiety but the space for political debate and public participation
continue to be severely restricted particularly since new media rules have prohibited
vaguely defined anti-national reporting. While I welcome the release of some political
and community leaders, 100 people remain in arbitrary detention with many habeas
corpus petitions still pending including those of many of Jammu and Kashmir political
leaders. I welcome the imitative to extend services to remote areas and the recent
conditional restoration of full internet connectivity in two districts which should be
applied promptly to the rest of Jammu and Kashmir…My office is committed to continuing
its engagement with both India and Pakistan to uphold the rights of the Kashmiri people
which is the best way further tensions and conflict.”
OKC on regular basis keeps the office of the High Commissioner (OHCHR) updated about
the continued gross human rights violations in Indian Occupied Kashmir that is monitored
by the OHCHR.
IHRAAM continues to participate at the 45th session of HRC having already submitted
written statements and registered on the various agenda items for oral and video
presentation. IHRAAM’s representative at the Palais des Nations is effectively lobbying on
the Kashmir human rights situation and the Kashmiris right to self-determination.