Human rights bodies on Kashmir situation

As occupied Jammu and Kashmir remains under strict lockdown for the ninth consecutive month disrupting lives, detection of several Covid-19 cases in the troubled region have given rise to fears about the spread of the contagion. In an important development the other day, as many as six highly respected international rights organisations, including Amnesty International, Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development, International Commission of Jurists and World Organisation Against Torture, issued a joint statement calling for immediate release of political prisoners, particularly those vulnerable to Covid-19 (old and sick detainees), provision of adequate healthcare, implementation of preventive measures within jails, such as screening and follow-up monitoring of released detainees. It also urged the restoration of high-speed internet in occupied J&K.

Some inside the Valley have also been pointing to a general lack of access to testing and treatment facilities for Covid-19, even dearth of information about people affected by it. Meanwhile, human rights situation remains dire. Although the statement issued by the rights groups was spurred by the Covid-19 threat, it also reiterated concerns about torture, arbitrary arrests and other rights violations, emphasizing that "the government of India must urgently address them, regardless of the threat of a global pandemic." Thousands of Kashmiris are being held under different legal pretexts, including the draconian Public Security Act, which allows administrative detention of any person for up to two years without any charges and trial. The very fact that so many rights groups felt it necessary to speak with one voice underscores the gravity of the situation. UN Human Rights Council has also been expressing deep concern over rights violation in the valley. But India's ultra nationalist government remains insistent on consolidating annexation of the disrupted region through bloody repression. Just a few days ago, at least nine Kashmiri freedom fighters were martyred in two different incidents of clashes with Indian paramilitary troops. Three Indian soldiers were also killed.

Reports suggest more and more Kashmiri youth are taking to the gun. According to some prominent political and civil society figures in India, Kashmiri people are completely alienated from India. Aware of the public sentiments even normally pro-India Kashmiri leaders, including three former chief ministers, having been urging New Delhi to hold talks with the Hurriyat Conference leaders as well as Pakistan for the resolution of the Kashmir issue. The ruling BJP is not going to pay any heed to this advice. Yet it cannot maintain the lockdown forever. Whenever it is lifted there will be a fierce backlash. As is its wont, Delhi will blame its problems on Pakistan, which could lead to an open confrontation between the two-nuclear armed nations. It is imperative therefore that influential world players break their silence over gross human rights violation, and help resolve the UNSC-recognised dispute according to the wishes of the Kashmiri people.