Kashmiri delegation effectively highlighting HR abuses in IIOJK at UNHRC session in Geneva
Geneva, September 16 (KMS): An eleven-member Kashmiri delegation, hailing from both sides of Line of Control (LoC), is effectively highlighting at the ongoing 51st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva the grave human rights violations by Indian troops in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
led by All Parties Hurriyat Conference Azad Jammu and Kashmir (APHC-AJK) chapter leader Altaf Hussain Wani, the delegation comprises political leaders, academicians, civil society members and rights activists, including Sardar Amjad Yousaf Khan, Syed Faiz Naqshbandi, Advocate Pervez Shah, Ms Shamim Shawl, Hassan Al-Bana, Professor Shagufta Ashraf, Dr Waleed Rasool, Dr Saira Shah, Dr Waqas Ali Kausar and Barrister Needa Salam. The delegates are participating in various activities and drawing the attention of the world towards the grim human rights situation in IIOJK.
The Kashmiri delegates Sardar Amjad Yousaf Khan, Hassan-al-Bana, Professor Shagufta Ashraf, Dr Waqas and Dr Saira Shah in their meeting with the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to development, Saad Alfarargi, briefed him on how the absence of any meaningful political engagement in Kashmir has resulted in isolation and marginalization of the Kashmiris. They appealed to the United Nations Human Rights Council to use the UN mechanisms to protect the life and dignity of the Kashmiri people.
Separately, Shameem Shawl in her statement submitted under agenda item two during the UNHRC session called upon the world body to address the challenges and the rising global tensions that continue to threaten the humanity at large. She made a particular reference to IIOJK and said, “There are places where horrors are inflicted on civilian population.”
The Kashmiri representatives Altaf Hussain Wani, Syed Faiz Naqshbandi, Ms Shameem Shawl, Advocate Parvaiz Ahmad, Dr Waleed Rasool and Advocate Nida Salam in their meeting with Organisation of Islamic Cooperation permanent representative, Ambassador Nassima Baghli, and counselor, Salima Dalibey, sought urgent attention of the international community towards the fast deteriorating human rights situation in IIOJK. They said it is high time that the world should take cognizance of India’s settler colonial plan to change the demographic composition of the territory.
The Kashmiri delegates, Altaf Hussain Wani, Syed Faiz Naqshbandi, Sardar Amjad Yousaf Khan, Ms Shameem Shawl and Ms Saira Shah taking part in general debate during the UNHRC session urged the world body to appoint a Commission of Inquiry to investigate the grave human rights violations perpetrated by Indian troops in IIOJK. They also urged the Council to utilise the UN mechanisms to protect the life and dignity of the people of the occupied territory.
It is to mention here that during its stay in Geneva the Kashmiri delegation besides attending the UNHRC session to be held from 12 September 2022 to 7 October 2022 is scheduled to attend a host of important meetings with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Special Rapporteurs, diplomats and representatives of international non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
The main objective of the visit is to bring to highlight the ongoing human rights violations in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, particularly the rising incidents of extrajudicial killings, mass destruction of properties, clampdown on dissent, attacks on right to education and religious rights and plight of the Kashmiri prisoners.
The delegation would also apprise the world community of the Indian government’s sinister designs aimed at changing the demographic composition of IIOJK and its anti-Kashmir policies intended to minimize the Muslim majority community’s role in decision-making process and reduce their political representation in the legislature by granting voting rights to non-Kashmiris.
You must be logged in to post a comment.