New Delhi: The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michele Bachelet, welcomed the release of some political leaders and the limited restoration of the Internet in two districts of Kashmir, but expressed concern that many remain behind bars and called for a reversal. total blockage of communications in Jammu and Kashmir.
At the start of the 45th session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva on Monday, Bachelet gave a “Global Human Rights Update” on the situation around the world, from China to Sri Lanka, from Venezuela to the U.S.
In her section on India, Bachelet mentioned that in the past year in Jammu and Kashmir, “incidents of military and police violence against civilians, including the use of pellet guns, as well as incidents related to militancy, continue.”
Kashmir and other human rights issues in India had also been part of Bachelet’s updates at previous sessions of the HRC.
He noted that changes in J & K’s constitutional status and domicile rules have generated “deep anxiety.” The new media policy unveiled by the J&K management has also restricted the space for criticism, he noted. “… The space for political debate and public participation remains severely restricted, particularly since new media rules have banned loosely defined ‘anti-national’ reporting,” he noted.
During the changes in the constitutional status of Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019, most of the top politicians were detained. Some of the big names, such as former Chief Ministers Omar and Farooq Abdullah have been released, but several, including Mehbooba Mufti, remain in detention.
“While I welcome the release of some political and community leaders, hundreds of people remain arbitrarily detained, with many pending habeas corpus petitions, including those of many of Jammu and Kashmir’s political leaders,” Bachelet said.
On the recent tentative relaxation of Internet restriction in Kashmir, Bachelet said: “I welcome initiatives to extend services to remote areas, and the recent conditional restoration of full Internet connectivity in two districts, which should be implemented quickly to the rest”. of Jammu and Kashmir “.
He also critically commented on the situation in Pakistani-occupied Kashmir, noting that POK residents “also have limited access to the Internet, which creates difficulties in accessing education and other vital services.”
“I remain concerned about the current restrictions on the rights to freedom of expression and association,” added Bachelet.
The UN human rights chief stated that her office was “committed to continuing its commitment to India and Pakistan, to defend the rights of the people of Kashmir, which is the best way to prevent further tensions and conflicts.”
So far there has been no response from the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs outstanding Bachelet’s statement on Jammu and Kashmir, but did not mention her views on PoK.
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