HRCP condemns India's unrelenting oppression in Kashmir

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) Tuesday strongly condemned the Modi government’s unrelenting suppression of civil, political and economic rights in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K).

As an independent human rights body with strong rights-based networks across South Asia and globally, HRCP believes that the state of affairs in J&K since 5 August 2019, has further destabilized the region and left its struggling population even more vulnerable to war and destruction, the rights commission said in a statement issued on Tuesday.

In addition to persistent tension across the Line of Control between India and Pakistan, the issue has led to the Sino-Indian border standoff.

The Kashmiris are battling constant curfews, illegal detentions, and extrajudicial killings. The new domicile law for J&K also suggests that the government in Delhi is determined to compel demographic changes in the area, to the detriment of Kashmiri citizens’ own rights.

The two-day curfew announced ahead of the first anniversary of the Indian government’s decision to revoke J&K’s autonomy is undemocratic and ill-intentioned.
HRCP calls on all regional and international players to support the human rights of J&K’s residents, and demands that the Indian and Pakistani governments resume the process of dialogue, with Kashmiris at the centre of any negotiations and settlements.

It is pertinent to note that Indian authorities have imposed the Curfew in Occupied Kashmir Valley a day ahead of the first anniversary of India's illegal decision to revoke the disputed region's status.

Police vehicles patrolled the main city of Srinagar after dark on Monday and again on Tuesday morning, with officers using megaphones to order residents to remain indoors, international media reported.

Pakistan has announced to observe the anniversary of IOJ&K’s loss of autonomy as a siege day in solidarity with Kashmiris.