for previous update
https://javedrashid.blogspot.com/2020/03/kashmir-struggle-news-update-weekly.html for previous updates visit
https://javedrashid.blogspot.com/2019/10/kashmir-struggle-news-update-weekly-jr.html and
https://javedrashid.blogspot.com/2018/12/kashmir-struggle-news-weekly-update.html, Kindly respond with comments or news that you wish included in next weeks update at : jarad_us@yahoo.com
1
Tehreek-e-Hurriyat, once headed by
Syed Ali Shah Geelani, banned by Indian government:
2 2023 and Kashmir: Jan 1 2024:The year 2023 for Jammu and Kashmir was a year full of
ironies, paradoxes and blatant double standards — all packaged and sold under
the name of economic progress, democracy and normalcy. https://thewire.in/rights/2023-a-year-of-ironies-and-paradoxes-in-jk
3 2023:
4 Property attached: Jan 4 2024: In continuation of its anti-Kashmiris’
measures, Narendra Modi-led Indian regime has attached another piece of land
measuring 10 Marlas in Gandarbal district, today, under the draconian law
Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). The attached land is
situated at Revenue Estate Wakoora belonging to Lateef Ahmad Kambay, a resident
of Wakoora, Gandarbal district. This brutal step is part of the
ongoing policies of the Modi regime to silence the Kashmiri people from raising
their voice for right to self-determination. The victim is is lodged at Central
Jail Srinagar, in a fake case.
https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2024/01/03/modi-regime-attaches-another-civilian-property-in-iiojk.html
5
One martyred:
6
Sopore massacre; Jan 6 2024; On January 6, 1993, more than 60 Kashmiris
fell victim to a brutal massacre carried out by Indian security forces in the
Sopore area of Kashmir. Reports from Human Rights Watch detail the acts perpetrated by Indian soldiers, who,
in an indiscriminate display of violence, set fire to over 500 buildings in
Sopore market. The streets became a battleground as security forces fired
recklessly at passers-by, resulting in the tragic loss of more than 60 lives. Al Jazeera further reveals that over 350 shops and 140 houses were engulfed
in flames due to the soldiers' relentless firing on innocent Kashmiris. One
particularly incident involved the Indian Army opening fire on a bus filled
with passengers, subsequently setting it ablaze, leading to the deaths of over
25 individuals
https://www.samaa.tv/208737495-three-decades-later-no-justice-for-sopore-massacre-victims
7
8 Human rights violations
HR Violations in IIOJK
Bec
|
(From Jan 1989 till 30 Dec 2023) |
|
|
Total Killings |
96,285 |
|
Custodial killings |
7,325 |
|
|
|
|
Civilian arrested |
169,038 |
|
Structures
Arsoned/Destroyed |
110,509 |
|
Women Widowed |
22,972 |
|
Children Orphaned |
1,07,950 |
|
Women gang-raped / Molested |
11,263 |
|
(Dec 2023) |
|
|
Total Killings |
7 |
|
Custodial killings |
3 |
|
|
|
|
Civilian arrested |
97 |
|
Structures
Arsoned/Destroyed |
0 |
|
Women Widowed |
4 |
|
Children Orphaned |
9 |
|
Women gang-raped / Molested |
4 |
|
(Since |
|
|
Total Killings |
842 |
|
Tortured / Critically
Injured |
2,396 |
|
|
|
|
Civilian arrested |
22,099 |
|
Structures
Arsoned/Destroyed |
1,113 |
|
Women Widowed |
64 |
|
Children Orphaned |
175 |
|
Women gang-raped / Molested |
1 |
1 Justice in IOJ&K;
2 Custodial
killings; Dec 25 2023; The
families of three tribal men from Poonch have alleged that they were tortured
to death by the Army after the attack in which five soldiers lost their lives
earlier this week The alleged custodial killing of the three civilians
identified as Safeer Hussain, 37, Mohammed Showkat, 26 and Shabir Ahmed, 32,
all residents of Topa Mastandara village in Poonch district, had triggered
protests on Friday.
https://thewire.in/security/civilians-killed-in-the-aftermath-of-poonch-terror-attack-were-tortured-to-death-allege-families
3 Torture;
4 One martyred;
5 Killings;; Dec
26 2023; Chairman Kashmir Council Europe (KCEU)
Ali Raza Syed has urged the international community to its role to stop and
custodial killings and other extra judicial murders of the Kashmiri civilians
by Indian authorities in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). Strongly condemning the barbaric
custodial killing of three Kashmiri civilians in Baffliaz area of Poonch
district of the occupied
6 Hurriyat chief’s outfit declared
unlawful association under UAPA for five years;
1 Article 370; Dec
19 2023;In a hard-hitting
interview, which is often sharply critical of the Supreme Court’s judgment on
Article 370 and Jammu and Kashmir, pronounced on December 11, Fali Nariman, widely
considered India’s foremost constitutional expert, has said it is “totally
erroneous and bad in law”. In the interview, Nariman identified four or five
different errors made by the Supreme Court in two specific aspects of its
judgment: upholding the dilution of Article 370 and re-organising
2.
Property seized:
3. Army personal killed: Dec., 22, 2023: Three Army soldiers
were killed and three more suffered injuries in an ongoing anti-militancy
operation in the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, December 21.3.
https://thewire.in/security/three-army-soldiers-killed-in-anti-militancy-operation-in-jks-poonch
4. Custodial killings;
5. Four martyred:
Human rights violations
1 Article 370:
2 Indian Supreme
Court:
4.
5. Supreme Court verdict though disappointing
does not come as a surprise, WKAF: The statement issued by Washington-based World Kashmir
Awareness Forum; December 12, 2023: The supreme court of India upholds the
decision of the Modi Government to strip the occupied Jammu & Kashmir
of special status. The verdict though disappointing does not come as a
surprise. This is the same court that confirmed the death sentence on
Afzal Guru, notwithstanding the fact (own admission of the chief justice) that
evidence for the alleged crime was not conclusive. The judgment came "to satisfy the collective
conscience of the nation." The same court few years ago issued
a judgment giving the Hindu majority a right to build a temple in place of
Barbari Mosque. This decision came as a shock to legal luminaries who cast
aspersion on the acumen of the judges of the highest court of the land.
Any single or group of individuals expecting a fair judgment from Indian courts
is exhibiting his/her naivety as rule of law has been buried under BJP Hindutva
rubble by the Indian government. It is evident that the decisions regarding
these cases are made within the precincts of establishment and all that
is left for the judges is to narrate the judgment. Although very much expected
this pronouncement is a slap on the face of freedom seeking nations and
institutions of the world that eloquently expostulate for peaceful and amicable
resolution of
6
7. OIC on Article 30:
8 British legislators in Kashmir: Dec., 15, 2023: British lawmakers
attending included Kate Hollern, Jess Phillips, Sarah Owen, Steve Baker, Sara
Britcliffe, Lord Qurban Hussain, Muhammad Yasin, Tahir Ali, Tan Dhesi, Debbie
Abrahams, Marco Longhi and included Kashmiri leader from Indian occupied
Kashmir, Muzzammil Ayyub Thakur, and others, had a detailed discussion on the
Kashmir issue which has turned into a nuclear flash point in South Asia with
three nuclear-powered nations bordering the UN-designated disputed territory.
Paul
Bristow condemned
1: Torture: Dec 4 2023:: As
the world observes International Day of Persons with Disabilities, today, India
continues to use torture systematically to disable the people of occupied Jammu
and Kashmir.A report released by Kashmir Media
Service on the occasion of International Day of Persons with Disabilities,
today, said brutal and inhuman torture techniques, employed by Indian troops,
paramilitary forces and police personnel, have left thousands of Kashmiris
disabled for life, including over 200 losing eyesight in one or both eyes in
the occupied territory. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2023/12/03/india-uses-torture-systematically-to-disable-kashmiris.html
2. Let Kashmiris be given the
right to self-determination: Dr. Farhan Chak:
3 Legislation:
1.
World cup;
2.
One martyred:
3.
Modi bans all protests in IO: Dec 1 2023: Modi government bans all
expressions of solidarity with Palestine in Indian-held Kashmir
.
4.
1.
Resolution:
2.
martyrs of Aali Kadal :
3.
Children:
4.
Attack:
5.
one martyred: Nov 24 2023: Indian troops in their fresh act
of state terrorism martyred one more Kashmiri youth in Rajouri district of
Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, today, taking the number of the
martyred youth to two since yesterday.According to
Kashmir Media Service, the troops martyred the youth during the ongoing cordon
and search operation in Kalakot area of the district. The troops martyred one
youth in the same area, yesterday. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2023/11/23/indian-troops-martyr-one-more-kashmiri-youth-in-rajouri-2.html
6.
Kashmiri women:
1.
Two martyred;
2.
Immunity; Nov 17 2023; The
recent November 9 order of a two-member tribunal, suspending the life sentence
of Captain Bhoopendra Singh of the Rashtriya Rifles, who was convicted of killing
three Kashmiri labourers in the Shopian fake encounter case in 2020, will only
serve to reinforce that Indian armed forces deployed in IIOJK enjoy impunity,
reported India-based online news portal The Leaflet. According to Kashmir Media
Service, The Leaflet citing a 2012 report by the Jammu Kashmir Coalition of
Civil Society (JKCCS) said that it (the JKCCS report) made a damning revelation
about the impunity enjoyed by Indian armed forces in
3.
Six
martyred:
1.
2 One martyred;
1. Aping
2 October human cost;
3 How an American became
voice of voiceless people of Kashmir ?
By Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai; November 2, 2023 ; A
memorial service was held today for Marguerite Helen Velte Hasbrouck. For out of state friends and those unable
to join in person, the memorial concert and meeting was made accessible on
Zoom. Marguerite Helen Velte Hasbrouck was born on October 30, 1933 , in Lahore Punjab
(today Pakistan Forman Christian College U.S. Barnard College , New
York Wellesley College Arlington Street Church Boston U.S. Central America . Marguerite
was one of the founders of the Massachusetts Criminal Justice Policy Coalition,
facilitated Alternatives to Violence Project workshops at prisons throughout New England , and received a lifetime
achievement award from the Massachusetts Department of Correction for her
volunteer work. As a legal worker, Marguerite served on the board of the
Massachusetts Chapter of the National Lawyers Guild (NLG). Marguerite
was a strong advocate and great defender of voiceless people of Kashmir .
She had visited the Valley
of Kashmir Kashmir Valley October 22, 1990 , that she first wrote to me and expressed her interest to
attend a demonstration that was held in front of the United Nations on October 27, 1990 -- the day when India Kashmir in 1947. She later sent me her passport along with
completed application for getting visa to visit the Valley of Kashmir United States Kashmir . I hope
that you will read it before committing yourselves, without thought, to
supporting what seems to be one group of moneyed and potential political
supporters over a mass of oppressed people of Kashmir .” When
Raisa Gorbachev and Barbara Bush visited Wellesley Wellesley College Kashmir .” When Harvard University India October 12, 1990 ,
she attended the event along with her colleagues and took the notes which later
she sent to me. She wrote at the end of her type written six pages, single
space notes, “These are rough notes, roughly transcribed.” But when I compared
these notes with the official 28 pages, double space transcript of Harvard University TIENMEN
SQUARE Kashmir .
Half a million soldiers and paramilitary police seal off the region as a
“disturbed area”. They are authorized to shoot to kill at any public gathering
of more than four people, to arrest and detain people without charges, and to
destroy property without judicial process. Houses, shops, and entire villages
are burned on mere suspicion. SOUTH
AFRICA Kashmir .
Twenty-four-hour curfew is imposed on entire cities for as long as two weeks
without break. The economy shuts down. Food and medicine grow scarce. In
house-to-house searches under curfew, “subversives” are beaten, raped, robbed,
tortured, disappeared. Some prisoners die under torture, others in staged
“encounters” or “escape attempts”. PPALESTINE? Kashmir .”
“Neither India’s reign of terror, nor that a few Kashmiris have begun to
respond to the human rights violations committed by Indian army in kind, are as
surprising as that the overwhelming majority of Kashmiris — ordinary people and
activists alike — remain committed not merely to the goal of freedom but to the
tactics of nonviolence. Whenever the curfew is lifted or defied, Kashmiri
crowds march on the U.N. offices in Srinagar India Kashmir
than we could begin to deal with here. But the bottom line is that there is NO
excuse for these increasingly genocidal means of repression, NO excuse for the
colonialism they serve. It’s that simple. Today,
Edward Hasbrouck, Marguerite’s proud
son has kept the candle of freedom kindled through his deep involvement with
the Kashmiri political resistance. Edward wrote, Kashmir ’s
struggle for freedom continues, but with little support or awareness abroad,
especially in the USA India Kashmir will
never forget the selfless contribution and the tireless efforts of Marguerite
Helen Velte Hasbrouck. Her efforts will remain
forever a milestone in the history of the freedom struggle of Kashmir . May her
soul rest in peace! Ameen.
4
1
Bijbehara massacre; Oct 23 2023; Bijbehara carnage
will remain one of the heinous crimes by Indian troops in Indian illegally
occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) A report released by Kashmir Media Service,
today, said over 50 innocent Kashmiris were martyred in the Bijbehara area of
Islamabad district on October 22, 1993, when the personnel of Indian Border
Security Force opened fire on the peaceful demonstrators, who were protesting
against the Indian military siege of Srinagar’s Hazratbal shrine It said 30
years on but the Bijbehara martyrs’ families are still awaiting justice https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2023/10/22/bijbehara-carnage-will-remain-one-of-heinous-crimes-by-indian-troops-in-iiojk.html
2
Two martyred;
3
Black day;
It was on
27th October in 1947 when Indian troops had invaded
4
1 Kashmiri support Palestine; Oct 22
2023; Two major
Kashmiri organizations — the World Kashmir Awareness Forum (WKAF) and the
Kashmir Diaspora Coalition (KDC) — Saturday issued a joint statement expressing
solidarity with the Palestinian people in Gaza, who are being subjected to
deadly Israeli aerial attacks that have ravaged the enclave. https://www.app.com.pk/global/two-major-kashmiri-organizations-voice-solidarity-with-gazans-urge-unsc-to-order-ceasefire/
2
Prayers banned;
3
India and Israel; Oct 22 203; Political experts and analysts in
Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir have said that Kashmiris and
Palestinians have been victims of India-Israel evil nexus for the last more
than seven decades. According to Kashmir Media
Service, the political experts and analysts in their interviews and statements
in
1
Two martyred;
2
Mosque ;
1 Human
rights: Oct 1 2023; “A global context of
shrinking civic space is making it increasingly difficult to properly document,
report and respond to cases of reprisals, which means that the number is likely
much higher,” said Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights Ilze Brands
Kehris in her presentation to the Human Rights Council in Geneva. The report
mentions the situation of the
2 Two martyred; Oct 2023; Indian troops in
their fresh act of state terrorism martyred two Kashmiri youth in Kulgam
district. The youth were martyred by Indian troops during a cordon and search
operation in Kujjar area of the district. The martyred youth have been
identified as Basit Amin Butt from Frisal and Saqib Ahmad Lone from Hawoora,
Kulgam. Meanwhile, a Kashmiri man Sahil Bashir Dar, resident of Wanihama,
1 Facebook: Sep 3- 2023:
Nearly three years ago, Facebook’s
propaganda hunters uncovered a vast social media influence operation that used
hundreds of fake accounts to praise the Indian army’s crackdown in the restive
border region of Kashmir and accuse Kashmiri journalists of separatism and
sedition. What they found next was explosive: The network was operated by the
Indian army’s Chinar Corps, a storied unit garrisoned in the
2 British Members of
Parliament on
3 Two martyred;
1 Youth martyred;
2 Arundhati Roy on minorities in
3 Two martyred;
4 Turkey on Kashmir; Sep 20
2023; Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan raked
up the Kashmir issue during his address at the United Nations General Assembly,
advocating for a resolution through dialogue between India and
Pakistan. Erdogan stressed that resolving the
1 Thune-
justice massacre ; Sep 2023; justice continues
to elude Kangan the victim families of gory Thune-Kangan massacre for the past
33 years whose near and dear ones lose their lives at the hands of Indian
Border Security Force (BSF) personnel in Thune Kangan area on this day in 1990
in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Fifteen people, including Eng
Tariqul Islam, Ghulam Muhammad Wani, Frooq Ahmed Lone, Parvaiz Ahmed, driver
and conductor of the passenger bus, were martyred and a dozen were injured when
the bus, in which they were travelling, was fired and burnt by the Indian BSF
personnel. The victim families are still awaiting justice while the
perpetrators of this heinous crime continued their state terrorism with black
law, Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in the territory. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2023/09/10/years-on-victim-families-of-thune-kangan-massacre-await-justice.html
2 Barkha
Dutt on
3 US on Kashmir; Sep 12 2023; "The Biden administration is clearly sidelining human
rights in the interest of advancing partnerships with governments it sees as
strategically important – and sending a message that the U.S. is willing to
tolerate blatant failures to protect and uphold human rights," said
Carolyn Nash, Asia advocacy director at Amnesty International. https://www.reuters.com/world/biden-accused-sidelining-vietnam-india-rights-over-strategic-interests-2023-09-12/
4 Modi and Muslims ; Sep 12 2023;Fanatic supporters of BJP (readers
must know that it is not representative of an average Indian) have torn down
mosques, burnt shrines and graveyards; they have stopped Muslims on the street
and have tortured them until they would yield to the demand of chanting praise
for Ram, the Hindu deity; there are evidencing footages, when upon refusal to
chant, the Muslims are mercilessly beaten and clubbed to death. Recently, a
schoolteacher, possibly a devout follower and disciple of monstrous Modi, asked
the entire class to slap their Muslim classmate as a punishment— the pupils
queued up and laid their innocent, yet perennially damaging the self-esteem and
respect of their classmate, a tight slap on the innocent victims face. That’s
India of Modi. The world prefers to turn a blind eye to its farce of being
secular.
5 One
martyred;
6 Political
prisoners; Sep 15 2023; According to Kashmir Media Service, the
APHC spokesman in a statement issued in Srinagar urged immediate release of
Hurriyat leaders including, APHC Chairman Masarrat Aalam Butt, Shabbir Ahmed
Shah, Muhammad Yasin Malik, Aasiya Andrabi, Dr Abdul Hameed Fayyaz, Nayeem
Ahmed Khan, Naheeda Nasreen, Fehmeeda Sofi, Ayaz Muhammad Akbar, Peer
Saifullah, Raja Merajuddin Kalwal, Shahid-ul-Islam, Farooq Ahmed Dar, Syed
Shahid Yousuf, Syed Shakeel Yousuf, Muhammad Yusuf Falahi, Muhammad Rafiq
Ganai, Bilal Siddiqi, Maulvi Bashir Ahmed, Mushtaq-ul-Islam, Umar Adil Dar,
Zaffar Akbar Butt, Sharief Sartaj, Hayat Ahmed Butt, Dr Muhammad Qasim Fakhtoo,
Ghulam Qadir Butt, Muhammad Shafi Shariati, Showkat Hakeem, Merajuddin Nanda,
Zahoor Ahmed Butt, Shabir Ahmed Dar, Firdous Ahmed Shah, Jahangir Ghani Butt,
Saleem Nanaji, Sajad Hussain Gul, Muhammad Yasin Butt, Malik Noor Fayaz and
others languishing in different jails of India and IIOJK. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2023/09/14/aphc-expresses-concern-over-plight-of-kashmiri-political-prisoners-demands-their-release.html
7 War of independence not terrorism; Sep 17
2023; Gurpatwant Singh Pannun,
the general counsel for the Sikh for Justice (SFJ), stated on Saturday that the
killings of Indian soldiers in occupied Kashmir are not due to the acts of
terrorism but from the conflict with indigenous Kashmiri freedom fighters. In a
video statement, the SFJ representative said that the freedom fighters were
native to
8 Three
martyred; Sep 17 2023; Indian troops in their fresh act of state
terrorism martyred three more Kashmiri youth in a fake encounter in Indian
illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, toda. The troops martyred the youth
during a so-called cordon and search operation in Uri area of Baramulla
district. The troops also continued their violent search operations in
different areas of
9 False
flag operations ; Sep 17 2023; Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's
strategy of accusing Pakistan of supporting terrorism in India to gain
electoral support has once again taken center stage, with recent incidents
raising concerns of false flag operations aimed at diverting attention and
achieving political goals. Reports from Indian media on September 16 revealed
that several officers and soldiers of the Indian Army were killed in an
encounter with “terrorists” in the Uri sector of Baramulla. Just days earlier,
on September 12, news of a similar alleged operation by Indian forces in
Anantnag had surfaced.
1
2 EU on Kashmir ;
Sep 5 2023;The head of the separatist Kashmir
Council EU, Ali Raza Syed on Monday claimed in Brussels that the European Union
will raise the issue of so-called rights violation in Jammu and Kashmir during
the G20 Summit here. The Minister of Foreign
Affairs of the European Union has also reportedly said that he will share the
concerns with the Indian counterparts on appropriate occasions. He also holds
positions at the United Nations Human Rights Council in
3 Two martyred;
1 Civilian martyred;
2 Sikh on Chinese map;
3 August
cost of struggle; Sep 2 2023; Indian troops in
their unabated acts of state terrorism martyred eight Kashmiris in the last
month of August in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir
(IIOJK).According to the data issued by the Research Section of Kashmir Media
Service, today, the Kashmiris were martyred in different fake encounters while
three women were widowed and eleven children were orphaned by the Indian
troops.
https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2023/09/01/indian-troops-martyr-eight-kashmiris-in-august.html
1.
UN on Kashmir; Aug 22 2023 ; Mary Lawlor, the UN Special
Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, raised the alarm about
the nearly decade-long detention of Gokarakonda Naga "GN" Saibaba, a
long-standing defender of the rights of minorities in India. "
2. Line
of Control ;
3. KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE HUMAN RIGHTS
SITUATION IN INDIAN-ADMINISTERED KASHMIR July 1, 2023 - July 31,
2023 ; Aug 22 2023; In July 2023, Indian authorities continued to
commit grave human rights violations in Indian administered Kashmir (IAK).
Indian forces killed at least twelve people in IAK, including an infant Rohingya refugee. The
Jammu & Kashmir administration continued to crack down on free
expression, including by
continuing to terminate public sector employees who purportedly hold dissenting
or disfavored views and
eliminating celebrated Kashmiri literature from university
curricula. The administration
also continued to target human rights defenders and dissenters in IAK,
including through the
cancellation of passports. The administration continued to escalate forced
demographic change in the
region, including through the announced distribution of public land to
199,000 people. Numerous Kashmiri journalists, human rights defenders,
political activists and dissenters continue to be arbitrarily detained. Indian authorities continue to
use the
4 Kashmiri lecturer suspended days after pleading against
abrogation of Article 370 in Supreme Court; Aug 7 2023; A Kashmiri lecturer was
suspended from the Union Territory’s education department by the Jammu and
Kashmir Lieutenant Governor’s administration in Srinagar, four days after he
pleaded against the abrogation of Article 370 before the Supreme Court.
The School Education Department has placed Zahoor
Ahmad Bhat, a senior lecturer of political science under suspension with
immediate effect for violation of provisions of Jammu & Kashmir Civil
Service Regulations, Jammu & Kashmir Government Employees Conduct Rules and
J&K Leave Rules.Bhat, who also possesses a law degree, appeared for himself
before the Supreme Court on August 23.
1.
2.
Sikh
protest;
3.
Kashmiris observe
4.
One martyred;
5.
Rape as weapon of war; Aug 20 2023; Political experts
and analysts in Indian illegally occupied
6.
1. One martyred:
1
India going to extreme right: Aug 3, 2023:Since 2014, under the rule of the Modi-led
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a new chapter has being authored in India’s
history, whereby the country has come to deviate from the basic principles of
democracy, minority rights, and executive accountability. This needs greater
recognition and urgent action. Democracy is
under increasing threat from authoritarianism in
2. Narendra
Modi Is Using Brutal Repression to Silence the People of
3. One martyred:
4. Protest: Aug
6 2023: Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control, in Pakistan and the
world over are observing today, the 5th August, as Youm-e-Istehsal-e-Kashmir to
register their protest and defiance against Narendra Modi-led Hindutva Indian
government’s illegal and fraudulent action taken on this day in 2019.The Modi
regime, in gross violation of the UN resolutions and international law, repealed
the special status of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir and imposed
unprecedented military siege in the territory on this day in 2019. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2023/08/05/kashmiris-observing-youm-e-istehsal-kashmir-today.html
Human rights violations
1 Human rights; July 25 2023: Indian forces
continued state terrorism and gross human rights violations during the
so-called cordon and search operations in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and
Kashmir.A report released by Kashmir Media Service maintained that the Indian
troops, paramilitary and police personnel martyred 10 Kashmiris and arrested
over a hundred people including Hurriyat activists in last two weeks in
different districts of the territory.“Gross and systematic human rights
violations are being perpetrated by Indian troops on daily basis in IIOJK. Modi
should know that no amount of Indian brutalization will be able to subjugate
the Kashmiris. World history is witness to the fact that freedom movements can
never be suppressed through oppression,” it said. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2023/07/24/indian-troops-martyred-10-kashmiris-arrested-over-hundred-in-two-weeks.html
2. One martyred:
3. Colonizing
Kashmir:
4. Women
disappearances:
1 Two martyred:
2. Four martyred:
3. Two martyred:
1 Kashmiri Americans Will Observe July 13th As
the Martyrs Day: Dr. Fai; Washington, D.C. July 12h,
2023.; Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Secretary General, ‘World Kashmir Awareness
Forum’, made an imperative appeal for the world powers to recognize the
long-standing wishes and aspirations of the Kashmiri people as they observe
Martyrs Day, July 13th. It was on
2 Martyrs’ Day; July 14
2023; Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of
Control, in Pakistan and the world over, observed the Martyrs’ Day, today, to
pay homage to the martyrs of July 13, 1931 and all other Kashmiri martyrs. According
to Kashmir Media Service, the shops remained closed in Nowhatta, Rajouri Kadal
and several parts of the
1
Fai said that there were two principles involved in
the
When asked about the role of great powers, Dr. Fai
said that “I would like to submit that because of inaction and studied
unconcern on the part of the world powers towards the people of Kashmir and
given the traumatic events of the last thirty-three year in general and
four years in particular in the Valley,
the people of Kashmir feel that they have been betrayed, The United Nations and
the great powers have chosen not to notice what is happening to the Kashmiris,
much less do anything about it.”
2 Burhan Muzaffar Wani ; July 5 3023; The All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) has called for complete shutdown in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir on July 08 (Saturday) on the 7th martyrdom anniversary of the prominent youth resistance leader, Burhan Muzaffar Wani who along with his colleagues sacrificed his life for the just cause of right to self-determination. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2023/07/04/aphc-calls-for-strike-on-martyrdom-anniversary-of-burhan-wani-in-iiojk.html
1 Mosque vandalized;
1. Urgency must
replace complacency in Kashmir: Washington, D.C. June 19, 2023: by Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai: “Under the latest onslaught the Occupied Jammu &
Kashmir is being converted from UN-declared conflict zone into a full-fledged
settler-colony of the Indian fascist Hindu Rashtra. The largest foreign
occupation since the 1947,
2. Children in
Kashmir; June 19 2023; As Father’s Day is being celebrated worldwide,
today, thousands of fathers in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir have
lost their sons at the hands of brutal Indian troops. The unending
3. Women
and
4.
5. Women in
6. Four martyred:
June 24 2023;
Indian troops in their fresh act of state terrorism martyred four
Kashmiri youth in Kupwara district, Indian illegally occupied Jammu and
Kashmir.The troops martyred the youth during a cordon and search operation
(CASO) in Machil area of the district. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2023/06/23/indian-troops-martyr-four-youth-in-kupwara.html
7. LoC violations; June 25 2023;
Two civilians embraced
martyrdom on Saturday while one other
was “critically injured” as the Indian Army opened “indiscriminate fire” at a
group of shepherds at the Line of Control (LoC), the army’s media relations
wing said. n February 2021, both countries had recommitted themselves to the
2003 ceasefire agreement and agreed to address the “core issues” that could
undermine peace and stability Today, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR)
said in a statement, “Today, at 11:55 hours, Indian Army, in a display of its
usual inhumane approach towards innocent Kashmiris, opened indiscriminate fire
onto a group of shepherds in Sattwal Sector. The ISPRidentified the martyred as
Obaid Qayyum, 22, and Muhammad Qasim, 55. “Both shaheeds (martyrs) are
residents of village Bara Dari Tetrinote, Tehsil Hajira, District Poonch,’ it
added. he statement further said: “Driven by a newfound geo-political
patronage, Indian forces have embarked on a plan to take innocent lives to
satiate their false narratives and concocted allegations Ilyas pointed out that
it was not the first time that
1. J&K’s
special status and
2. Two martyred:
3. Five martyred:
4. Hoodwinking World
community:
1. Kashmiri
Children and Indian army :
2. Google Bard;
write-up on human rights violations in Indian Occupied
3.
Human rights violations
HR Violations in
IIOJK
|
(From Jan 1989 till
31 May 2023) |
|
|
Total
Killings |
96,196 |
|
Custodial
killings |
7,296 |
|
|
|
|
Civilian
arrested |
167,985 |
|
Structures
Arsoned/Destroyed |
110,499 |
|
Women
Widowed |
22,960 |
|
Children
Orphaned |
1,07,903 |
|
Women
gang-raped / Molested |
11,258 |
|
(May 2023) |
|
|
Total
Killings |
10 |
|
Custodial
killings |
4 |
|
|
|
|
Civilian
arrested |
2141 |
|
Structures
Arsoned/Destroyed |
1 |
|
Women
Widowed |
0 |
|
Children
Orphaned |
0 |
|
Women
gang-raped / Molested |
1 |
|
(Since |
|
|
Total
Killings |
753 |
|
Tortured
/ Critically Injured |
2,356 |
|
|
|
|
Civilian
arrested |
18,905 |
|
Structures
Arsoned/Destroyed |
1,104 |
|
Women
Widowed |
52 |
|
Children
Orphaned |
128 |
|
Women
gang-raped / Molested |
127 |
1 Yaseen Malik : May 29 2023:British
Member of Parliament Andrew Gwynne who is also Chairman, Labour Friends of
Kashmir,UK, has announced to raise the plight of people of Indian illegally
occupied Jammu and Kashmir and their struggle for the basic right and the case
of illegally detained Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front Chairman Mohammad
Yaseen Malik with the British government, next week. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2023/05/29/mp-andrew-vows-to-raise-kashmiris-plight-yasin-maliks-case-with-uk-govt.html
2
The Human Rights Situation in the Indian Sub
Continent. by Pon Chandran — 03/05/2023 :I come from a Tamil culture
which proclaims to the world யா A
ஊேà®° யாவ¶A ேகளnJ “Yaadhum Oore Yavarum KeLir”,
meaning “the world is one and all are my kith and kin”. I also come from a sub
continent which is proud of its diversity. Diversity in languages, cultures,
nationalities, faiths, regions and religions. Whereas, the present ruling
establishment in
3. Article 370 and Article 371: Jun.,
2, 2023: In an
outspoken interview, where he has said many things that will annoy the Modi
government but also Thuingaleng Muivah, Niketu Iralu has said that the failure
of the Indian paramilitary forces to restore order in Nagaland seems
“deliberate”. Iralu is one of the most respected elder statesmen of the Naga
community and the nephew of the legendary leader A.Z. Phizo. In an interview
with The Wire, Iralu questioned the total silence from Prime
Minister Narendra Modi about Manipur. “Why is the prime minister not saying a
word? Is he the prime minister only of the BJP? Or of all of
4. One martyred:
5. One martyred:
1 Ashok Swain @ashoswai;
2 LAC; may 21 2023; In the strategically significant
area of Depsang plains in Ladakh, China’s People’s Liberation Army has demanded
the creation of a 15-20km buffer zone or no patrol zone inside India-claimed
lines as a precondition for disengagement, Kolkata-based The Telegraph reports,
citing an official from the The ITBP official told the newspaper that the
Chinese side made the latest demand during the 18th round of corps commander
talks last month and reiterated it during subsequent military talks at lower
levels. “The Chinese want a buffer zone with a width of 15-20km inside
3 G
20: May 21 2023; India’s aim to have G20 meeting in Kashmir is to
legitimize its illegal occupation: Dr. Fai;New York, May 22, 2023.:Kashmiri
American diaspora held a peaceful protest in front of the United Nations
headquarters in New York city to convey to G20 countries including the United
Nations that holding a G20 meeting in disputed territory of Kashmir is meant to
engineer a façade of normalcy in Kashmir. The digital trucks were also rented
which displaced the messages: “G20 risks legitimizing India’s illegal
occupation of Kashmir” “G20 in Kashmir violates UN resolutions” “G20 in
occupied Kashmir enables genocide” “Say NO to G20 in Kashmir” ”Modi: face of
Fascism”, “ “End the Occupation: Free Kashmir”, “Demilitarize Kashmir”, “India:
Release All Political Prisoners.” “
4 Yasin Malik. :
1 G 20: May 1 2023: China and Türkiye are among the
G20 member countries that are likely to skip the tourism working group meeting
next week in Srinagar, Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, while
several other countries will have low-level participation in the event. The
meeting is scheduled to take place in
2 G 20:
1
2
3 Kashmiri artists:
1 Pakistan must reiterate its principle stand
during SCO meet: Dr. Mir: May 3, 2023; Chairman, Kashmir Diaspora Coalition (KDC), Dr.
Ghulam N. Mir has welcomed the remarks made by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the
foreign minister of Pakistan, when he articulated the Pakistan’s policy towards
Kashmir not only in the regional platforms but also at international fora.
Foreign minister was representing the sentiments of the people of Indian
occupied Kashmir when he said, ‘India must end its gross human rights
violations in IIOJK; reverse its unilateral and illegal actions of 5 August
2019 including demographic changes; repeal draconian laws; allow UN-mandated
investigations into cases of extrajudicial killings and; implement relevant UN
Security Council resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir.’ Foreign minister added that
‘I want to remind our Kashmiri brothers and sisters that Pakistan will never
sit back and watch silently while Kashmiris continue to suffer Indian atrocities.’
Now, the foreign minister has decided to participate in the forthcoming summit
of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to be held on May 4-5, 2023, in Goa,
India. While realizing fully that SCO is an important multilateral
intergovernmental organization which deals with regional development and
regional security issues, KDC believes that Pakistan should have abstained from
its participation. However, while in India, the foreign minister must make it
clear that there will be no bilateral talks unless Modi Administration reverses
Article 35 A and in particular ‘Domicile Law’ which is designed to change the
demography of Jammu & Kashmir. SCO summit provides an opportunity to
foreign minister to reiterate the principle stand of Pakistan that it reaffirms
its unwavering support for the right of self-determination of the people of
Jammu & Kashmir and must make it clear that only a just and peaceful
resolution of Kashmir in accordance with the wishes and aspiration of the
people guarantees regional development, peace, and stability. Foreign
minister’s interaction with his counterparts as well as Indian media provides
him an opportunity to spell out the controversial decision of G20 to have its
meeting in internationally recognized disputed territory of Kashmir. He must
tell his counterparts that its aim is to divert global attention from the core
issue of the occupation of a people without their consent. It creates ambiguity around the matter and
undermines the legitimacy of the Kashmiris' demand for a plebiscite in
accordance with United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions. He must
also demand the unconditional release of all political prisoners who have been
wrongfully detained under politically motivated ‘Unlawful Activities Prevention
Act’ (UAPA) which is designed to harass, assault and imprison Kashmir’s human
rights activists, political leaders, and journalists. One prime example is
Khurram Parvez, an internationally recognized human rights defender about whom
Mary Lawlor, UN Special Rapporteur has said, ‘Khurram Parvez is not a
terrorist. He is a human rights defender.
2 Two martyred:
3 SCO:
4 Two martyred:
1 Innocents
sentenced:
1 Margdarshan
Resolution: Fact or fiction by Dr.
Ghulam Nabi Fai; April 9, 2023 ; I came across a statement in
‘Scoop News,’ made by Dr. Ajay Chrungoo, Chairman, ‘Panun Kashmir’ that ‘The
return and rehabilitation of the persecuted Kashmiri Hindus is possible only
when Margdarshan Resolution is adopted by the state of
2 Iftaar dinner in
3 Lal Chowk
massacre; Apr. 11, 2023; In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the
Srinagar’s Lal Chowk massacre of 1993 which exposed the repugnant masquerade of
the Indian government is considered even after completion of 30 years today as
one of the grisliest incidents of brutality and gross human rights violations
committed by Indian troops and paramilitary personnel. On
1 UN on
2 Rayees Ahmad Butt
:
3 Martyrs:
4 Arunachal
Pradesh;
5 Arunachal Pradesh :
6
1 UN on
2 Rayees Ahmad Butt
:
3 Martyrs:
1 Kashmiri
journalist arrested:
2 Biden
Administration must insist on transparency in
3 One martyred:
1 Bucher papers:
Mar 2, 2023:A
series of letters, which India’s current government has tried to keep
classified, paint a weak picture of the Indian army’s position in its 1948 war
with Pakistan, and that then-Indian prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru was urged
to agree to a ceasefire by his most senior general. According to a Guardian
report, Mr Nehru was advised by Gen Sir Francis Robert Roy Bucher – who was the
commander in chief of the Indian army – to compromise with Pakistan due to
their military’s inability to withstand a long military operation.The letters
can have significant political consequences for India’s nationalist government
– led by Prime Minister Modi – which had discredited Mr Nehru’s decision to
compromise with Pakistan on the status of Kashmir as an ill-informed “blunder”,
the Guardian said. Indian-held
2 Modi and
1 Celebrating
International Day of Disarmament offers no hope to Kashmiris: Dr. Fai;
Washington, March 5, 2023; The Secretary General of the United Nations and those who
are interested in the world peace, know it well that Kashmir is the only
international conflict which can bring two rival countries – India and Pakistan
– to the brink of nuclear catastrophe, said Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Chairman,
‘World Forum for Peace & Justice.’ Fai quoted President Bill Clinton who
said that Kashmir was the most dangerous place on earth; and former Prime
Minister of New Zealand, Helen Clark who said, “Kashmir is a nuclear
flashpoint.” Dr. Fai suggested that let’s get a
quick snapshot of the problem: If you had half a dozen soldiers from a foreign
country stalking your neighborhood block day and night, watching your every
move, noting when you come and go, who your children are playing with, and who
you talk to in your neighborhood, demolishing your houses, changing the
demography of your state? What would you think if occasionally you would see
these soldiers arrest one of your neighbors and then go into his house, ransack
it and dishonor the womenfolk? What’s your take if another neighbor came out
and complained to the soldiers and they simply shot him on the spot, labeling
him a threat under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), which is
nothing more than a license to kill? How would you feel when you know that this
kind of thing isn’t an occasional incident that happens once every six months
or even once a month. This is daily life in Indian occupied Kashmir? How would
you feel except to resist the occupation? There is a resistance smoldering
beneath the surface of this occupation that belies every notion that India is
actually in control and managing its colonial possession. Fai apprised that Kashmir Valley
currently has more than 900,000 military and paramilitary troops occupying an
area with no more than 9 million people. Having so many troops in this small country
whose size is no greater in square miles than the U.S. state of Tennessee
should certainly be a cause for concern by anyone. This is more than three
times the number of troops the U.S. had at the height of the Iraq War. Why are
they there? Where’s the war? The answer is given by Yashwant Sinha, leader of
BJP and former India’s foreign minister, who said, “there is no question of
losing (Kashmir). We have lost Kashmir;” and P Chidambaram, leader of the
Indian National Congress and former India’s finance minister, who said, “We
have practically lost Kashmir.” “The cry for azadi (Freedom) has simply gotten louder. As such the
level of tensions between
2 Turkey and
Kashmir: mar 7 2023; The raising of the Kashmir issued
by Turkey and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) at the 52nd session
of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) has unnerved India so much
so that it even made a mention of the little consignment of relief good, New
Delhi sent to Ankara for earthquake victims.
3 One more
International Women’s Day: One more year of death, destruction, and rape in
Kashmir: Dr. Fai; Washington, D.C. March 7, 2023; “On behalf of the women and
children of the world who continue to be the innocent victims, we hope that the
‘Platform of Action’ which was adopted by the UN during the ‘Fourth World
Conference on Women’ on 15 September 1995, suggest implementation of a special
program to rehabilitate the women and children of all conflicts in all
situations. We also hope that the sixty-seventh session of the ‘Commission on
the Status of Women’ which started yesterday (
4 Ro
Khanna
and Hindu nationalism;
5 Universal human rights & security
cooperation; mar 9 2023; Stop Arming Human Rights Abusers Act imposes
universal human rights and humanitarian conditions on security cooperation with
the
1 Naz Shah;
2 One martyred;
3 human rights ; mar
3 2023;US secretary of State Anthony Blinken
said that he raised human rights issues during his meeting with Indian external
affairs minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday.
https://thewire.in/diplomacy/discussed-human-rights-issues-in-meeting-with-jaishankar-blinken
1 Bucher papers;
2 Women and
occupied Jammu and Kashmir ;Feb 23 2023 : The miseries and victimization of
Kashmiri women by the Indian troops and police personnel continue unabated in
Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir.This was revealed by a report
released by the Research Section of Kashmir Media Service on the occasion of the
Kashmiri Women’s Resistance Day, today. The Day is observed on both sides of
the Line of Control every year to pay tribute to the struggles and sacrifices
of the survivors of mass rape and torture in Kunanposhpora. Call for the
observance of the day as Women’s Resistance Day was, first, given by
1 One
martyred;
1 Dr
Mahathir Mohamad ;
2 Massive bulldozer
action ;
3 Muhammad Maqbool
Butt ; Feb 11 2023; illegally detained Chairman of All Parties Hurriyat Conference,
Masarrat Aalam Butt, paying glowing tribute to prominent Kashmiri leader,
Muhammad Maqbool Butt, on the eve of his 39th martyrdom anniversary has said
the Kashmiri people are duty-bound to safeguard the martyrs’ sacrifices by
taking their mission to its logical conclusion. Masarrat Aalam Butt in a
message sent from
1 Shopping complex
demolished; Feb 02 2023; In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the
authorities demolished a shopping complex of Hurriyat leader, Qazi Yasir, on
Thursday morning in south Kashmir’s Islamabad town.The shopping complex owned
by Idara-e-Tahqeeqat-e-Islami, headed by Qazi Yasir, was located near a stadium
in the town
https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2023/02/02/iiojk-authorities-demolish-hurriyat-leaders-shopping-complex-in-south-kashmir.html
1
false flag operation ; Jan 26 2023;Pakistan's intelligence agencies
have exposed another false flag operation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi
regime in India on the country's Republic Day on January 26 in Indian Illegally
Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), The Express Tribune learnt on Wednesday. As
per details, the false flag operation is planned to be carried out by the
Indian Army and the police in the occupied valley. Sector Poonch has been
chosen near the Line of Control (LoC) for this purpose. Under the plan, Bashir
would use some local people to try to enter IIOJK by planting bombs or
improvised explosive devices (IEDs) from Jashkwal area of Azad Jammu and
2 Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on Monday (Jan 23) questioned
the surgical strikes and accused the government of peddling lies, Singh alleged that
the government did not agree to the CRPF request of flying its personnel from
3 Republic Day ; Jan 17 2023;
Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control and across the world observed
Indian Republic Day, today, as Black Day in protest against
4
Modi ;
1 Colonizing
2 Two martyred;
1
G 20 on IOJ&;
2 The
deplorable situation of the Muslim nation; Dr Amira Abo el-Fetouh;
Demand for Statehood | Ladakh
outfits harden their stance
3 Ladakh; an 9 2023;In the intensification of demands
raised since the striking down of Kashmir’s special status in 2019 and
bifurcation into two Union Territories, two of the main socio-political bodies
of the UT of Ladakh - the Leh Apex Body (LAB ) and the Kargil Democratic
Alliance (KDA) - have hardened their stance on securing Statehood. The two
bodies on Saturday rejected the high-powered committee constituted by the
Union Home Ministry to ensure the protection of land and jobs for the people of
the UT and to resolve its “outstanding issues”. The LAB and KDA members said
that they would boycott the MHA committee as it had not been mandated to
discuss the four key demands raised by them. These are Statehood,
constitutional safeguard under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution,
formation of Public Service Commission and reservation of jobs for the youth of
Ladakh, and creation of two separate parliamentary constituencies for Leh and
Kargil. The sixth schedule in the Constitution protects tribal populations,
providing autonomy to the communities through the creation of autonomous
development councils which can frame laws on land, public health, agriculture
etc. Presently, 10 autonomous councils exist in
The 26-member LAB or the Peoples
Movement for Constitutional safeguard under the sixth schedule, was formed in
2020. Its members have been alleging that decisions in the Leh council are
being dictated by bureaucrats and that the UT administration is allotting land
bypassing the council. They have also alleged the stagnation of recruitment in
government jobs. Now, rejecting the MHA’s high-powered committee announced on
January 2, the two bodies in Ladakh held an emergency meeting in
4 Two martyred;
5 Kashmir Diaspora ;Jan 9, 2023 ;Kashmir Diaspora
Coalition, a coalition of six international Kashmir diaspora advocacy
organizations, issued the following press statement to denounce the radical
Hindutva-led Indian Home Ministry’s inflammatory declaration of Esteemed Dr.
Asif Maqbool Dar as illegal under the international law. On
6 US and
Human rights violations
|
(From Jan 1989 till 31
Dec 2022) |
|
|
Total Killings |
96,163 |
|
Custodial killings |
7,282 |
|
|
|
|
Civilian arrested |
165,428 |
|
Structures Arsoned/Destroyed |
110,496 |
|
Women Widowed |
22,954 |
|
Children Orphaned |
1,07,892 |
|
Women gang-raped / Molested |
11,256 |
|
(Dec 2022) |
|
|
Total Killings |
7 |
|
Custodial killings |
7 |
|
|
|
|
Civilian arrested |
43 |
|
Structures Arsoned/Destroyed |
1 |
|
Women Widowed |
2 |
|
Children Orphaned |
5 |
|
Women gang-raped / Molested |
0 |
1
2022 and IOJ&K;
2 Human rights and
IOJK ; Jan 2 2023; n Indian illegally
occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in their unabated acts of
state terrorism martyred 214 innocent Kashmiris, including one woman and five
young boys, during the year 2022. According to a report released by the
Research Section of Kashmir Media Service, today, 57 of the martyrs were killed
in fake encounters and custody The report said, the killings by the troops,
paramilitary and police personnel rendered 13 women widowed and 35 children
orphaned while 10 women were molested, abused or disgraced by the men in
uniform during the year. It said that Indian forces destroyed 44 residential
houses and structures. The Indian authorities did not allow people to offer
Friday prayers for 14 times at the historic Jamia Masjid in Srinagar besides
disallowing other religious functions like Muharram processions, Shab-e-Baraat,
Shabe Qadr and Eid Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) gatherings in the occupied territory.
The report said that resistance leaders
continue to remain in detention in Delhi India 5th August 2019 ,
when Narendra Modi-led fascist Indian government revoked the special status of
IIOJK, Indian troops, paramilitary and police personnel have martyred 730
Kashmiris till date.It added that 96,163 Kashmiris have fallen to the Indian
bullets during the last 34 years in the occupied territory. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2023/01/01/indian-troops-martyred-214-kashmiris-in-2022.html .
3 Right to Self-Determination Day ;
4
1
Four
martyred;
2
3
3 Human rights in IO&K; Jan 1 2023; An annual report
prepared by Legal Forum for Kashmir (LFK) delineates the situation of human
rights in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJK). Like previous
years, 2022 again witnessed bloodshed of Kashmiris and silencing of Kashmir’s
civil society, arbitrary arrest of human rights defenders, journalists and
religious clergy.The unparalleled censorship and blackout on all forms of media
coverage about the ongoing situation in the war-trampled region has made it
more vulnerable for human rights organizations and media to work freely. The
year witnessed the killings of 181 freedom activists besides the extrajudicial
killing of 45 civilians. It said 24 Indian troops were killed during the year. Indian
troops launched 200 Cordon and search operations (CASOs) and Cordon and Destroy
Operations (CADOs). The CASOs and CADOs also left 212 residential houses
vandalized and destroyed at the hands of Indian occupying forces. There were
169 instances of Internet blockade. In January 2022, thousands of acres of land
in Gulmarg and Sonamarg area of Occupied Kashmir were declared as ‘strategic
areas’ and given to Indian military. This is a brazen violation of
International Law governing the disputed nature of Occupied Jammu and
1
Three
martyred;
2 Young
man missing;
1 OIC
on
2 British
trade and human rights ; Dec 12 2022; Urging the international
community to act fast on ending illegal occupation in Indian Illegally Occupied
Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and in Palestine by India and Israel, the British
government was on Saturday urged to apply sanctions on states which violate
human rights without any discrimination. “In particular all trade between
3 Troops
Clash;
4
5
That India in continuation of its colonial project
has deprived the Kashmiri people of the mirage of limited safeguards that were
derived from United Nation Security Council resolutions (UNSC); That India had
long been brutally repressing the movement for exercise of Kashmirs’ human
rights, above all the inalienable Right to Self-determination; India has relied
on intense coercion ever since 1947, these policies were intensified by the
decrees put into effect by India in August 2019. We reject
6 India
supports terrorism; Dec 4 2022; Interior Minister Rana
Sanaullah said on Tuesday that there was “clear evidence” of India carrying out
terrorist activities in Pakistan, adding that the government has decided to
present the matter before the international community. “Today, the matter that
we are putting before you […] we have evidence of
7 Terrorism
and India; Dec 15 2022;Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar said on
Wednesday that “no country had used terrorism better than India” as she called
on the international community to take note of New Delhi’s attempts to
destabilise Pakistan. “To play on the
back of the attention of the world on terrorism and to play the victim, no
country has benefitted from it better than
8 British parliament on
She
said that
1 The Kashmir File; Dec 2 2022;Unfazed by the widespread criticism of his comments
against the Hindi film " The Kashmir Files", Israeli
director and IFFI international jury chair Nadav Lapid said he stands by
his remarks as he "knows how to recognise propaganda disguised as a
movie". Reacting to the backlash he received for calling " The
Kashmir Files" a "vulgar" and "propaganda" movie,
Mr. Lapid said making bad films is not a crime, but the Vivek Agnihotri
directorial is "crude, manipulative and violent". https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/nadav-lapid-stands-by-his-comments-on-the-kashmir-files-says-can-recognise-propaganda-disguised-as-a-movie/article66205377.ece
2 12 martyred
; Dec 2 2022; In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian
troops in their unabated acts of state terrorism martyred 12 Kashmiris during
the last month of November. According to the data issued by the Research
Section of Kashmir Media Service, today, of those killed five were martyred in
fake encounters and in custody. Indian troops, paramilitary and police
personnel arrested 78 people, mostly youth, activists, students and a woman
under black laws Public Safety Act and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in
190 cordon and search operations in the territory. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/12/01/indian-troops-martyr-12-kashmiris-in-november.html
3 Human rights in India; Dec 4 2022; The US
Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has said the
US State Department has turned a blind eye by not including India in the list
of “countries of particular concern” under the International Religious Freedom Act. “There is no
justification for the State Department’s failure to recognise Nigeria or India
as egregious violators of religious freedom, as they each clearly meet the
legal standards for designation as CPCs https://thewire.in/rights/religious-freedom-uscirf-slams-omission-of-india-in-us-state-depts-particular-concern-list
Human rights violations
|
(From Jan 1989 till 31 Oct
2022) |
|
|
Total Killings |
96,145 |
|
Custodial killings |
7,270 |
|
|
|
|
Civilian arrested |
165,307 |
|
Structures Arsoned/Destroyed |
110,495 |
|
Women Widowed |
22,951 |
|
Children Orphaned |
1,07,887 |
|
Women gang-raped / Molested |
11,256 |
|
(Oct 2022) |
|
|
Total Killings |
14 |
|
Custodial killings |
6 |
|
|
|
|
Civilian arrested |
47 |
|
Structures Arsoned/Destroyed |
1 |
|
Women Widowed |
1 |
|
Children Orphaned |
7 |
|
Women gang-raped / Molested |
0 |
1 One martyred;
2 One martyred; No/ 22 2022; In Indian illegally
occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in their fresh act of state terrorism
martyred one more youth in Jammu district. The unarmed youth was martyred by
Indian Border Security Force (BSF) in Arnia area of the district. The BSF
claimed that on suspicion, the troops asked the youth to stop, but he moved on
without paying attention to the call, which prompted the troops to open fire on
him killing him on the spot. However, on searching, nothing objectionable was
found from him, the BSF spokesperson admitted. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/11/22/indian-troops-martyr-a-youth-in-jammu.html
3
One more reminder from the UN experts about Khurram Parvez; Nov 23, 2022;
Office of the United Nations
High Commissioner on Human Rights (UNHCHR) issued a statement on November 22,
2022, “One year in detention: UN experts demand immediate release of Kashmiri
activist Khurram Parvez.” Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Chairman,
‘World Forum for Peace & Justice’ said that the statement is a
significant step towards greater international recognition of the serious abuse
and misuse of draconian law, ‘Unlawful Activity Prevention Act’ (UAPA) which has
been employed to silence the human rights activists like Khurram Parvez and
journalists who dare to speak out about the human rights violations in Indian
occupied Kashmir. The statement takes the veil of secrecy off of
The UN experts statement further says, “We are dismayed at the
continued deprivation of liberty of Mr. Parvez, in what is increasingly proving
to be an act of retaliation against a human rights defender for his tireless
work documenting and reporting serious human rights violations, including
enforced disappearances and unlawful killings in Indian-administered Jammu and
Kashmir,” the experts said on the one-year anniversary of his arrest.
“We reiterate our serious concerns about the amendment of the
applicable legislation which allows the designation of any individual as a
ʽterroristʼ, bypassing the requirement to establish membership or association
with banned groups, and its application as a means of coercion against civil
society, the media, and human rights defenders in Indian-administered
1
We cannot sacrifice high moral ground in the name of commercial deals
in
2
India and human rights; Nov 15
2022;India’s human rights record was examined as part of the
Universal Period Review (process), a peer-based evaluation mechanism under the
UN Human Rights Council. This is the fourth time India has gone through this
evaluation process, the last time being in 2017.With concerns about the status of human rights
activists to the foreign funding of NGOs, suggestions called for an urgent
review of anti-terror laws to strengthen freedom of expression.The United
States representative lamented that “despite legal protections, discrimination
and violence based on gender and religious affiliation persist”. She
recommended the “broad applications” of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act
(UAPA) and similar laws against human rights activists, journalists, and
religious minorities. “The application of anti-terror legislation has led to
prolonged detentions of human rights defenders and activists, often in a
pre-trial status,” said the
3
One martyred;
1
Biden on illegal Occupation; Nov 1 2022; “I will keep your
message in mind as we work to meet the challenges of our time," he added. Referring
to problems in various parts of the world, Biden held in his two-page letter
that “
2
3
Junagarh ;
4
Six arrested;
5
one martyred;
1
One martyred;
2
Four martyred;
1
October 27th: the Tyranny continues in
2 Human rights violations
|
(From Jan 1989 till 30 Sep 2022) |
|
|
Total Killings |
96,148 |
|
Custodial killings |
7,274 |
|
Civilian arrested |
165,400 |
|
Structures Arsoned/Destroyed |
110,498 |
|
Women Widowed |
22,950 |
|
Children Orphaned |
107,880 |
|
Women gang-raped / Molested |
11,256 |
|
(Sep 2022) |
|
|
Total Killings |
17 |
|
Custodial killings |
10 |
|
Civilian arrested |
140 |
|
Structures Arsoned/Destroyed |
4 |
|
Women Widowed |
0 |
|
Children Orphaned |
0 |
|
Women gang-raped / Molested |
0 |
Human
rights
Kashmir Update, 204; Week (Oct 17,2022 to Oct 23, 2022)
1
One martyred; Oct.,
20, 2022: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in
their fresh act of state terrorism martyred one youth in custody in Shopian
district. The youth Imran Bashir was arrested by the troops during a cordon and
search operation on Tuesday after a grenade blast in which two Indian laborers
were killed in Hermain area of the district. The troops then took him to Nowgam
area of the district and killed him in a fake encounter.
https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/10/19/indian-troops-martyr-one-youth-in-shopian-during-custody.html
2 UN Chief chides India: Oct., 20, 2022: UN chief Antonio Guterres chided India during a visit on Wednesday over its human rights record, which critics say has regressed under Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “As an elected member of the Human Rights Council, India has a responsibility to shape global human rights, and to protect and promote the rights of all individuals, including members of minority communities,” Guterres said in a speech in Mumbai. Guterres pointedly said that the understanding that “diversity is a richness … is not a guarantee”.“It must be nurtured, strengthened and renewed everyday,” he said.Citing independence hero Mahatma Gandhi and India’s first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru — both of whom have become hate figures for some in Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party — Guterres said their values need to be guarded by “condemning hate speech unequivocally”.India must do this “by protecting the rights and freedoms of journalists, human rights activists, students and academics. And by ensuring the continued independence of India’s judiciary”, he said.“India’s voice on the global stage can only gain in authority and credibility from a strong commitment to inclusivity and respect for human rights at home,” he said, adding that “much more needs to be done to advance gender equality and women’s rights”.“I urge Indians to be vigilant and to increase your investments in inclusive, pluralistic, diverse communities and societies,” Guterres said. In February, UN rights experts called for an end to “misogynistic and sectarian” online attacks against one particular Muslim woman journalist who was a fierce critic of Modi. https://www.dawn.com/news/1715853/un-chief-antonio-guterres-chides-india-on-human-rights-record
Kashmir Update, 203; Week (Oct 10,2022 to Oct 16, 2022)
1
Germany on IOK; Oct 10 2022:Pakistan has rejected the
“unwarranted remarks” by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs’ (EAM)
official spokesperson regarding Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto with his German counterpart in Berlin wherein
the two spoke about the United Nations’ role in resolving the Kashmir dispute,
according to a press release by the Foreign Office (FO) on Sunday.In the press conference, German Foreign Minister Annalena
Baerbock had said: “Germany also has a role and responsibility with regard to
the situation in Kashmir. Therefore, we support intensively the engagement of
the United Nations, to find peaceful resolutions in the region.”
https://www.dawn.com/news/1714272/fo-rejects-indias-unwarranted-remarks-on-fm-bilawal-and-german-counterparts-joint-press-conference
2
Two martyred; Oct,,
11 2022; In Indian illegally
occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in their fresh act of state terrorism
martyred two Kashmiri youth in south Kashmir’s Islamabad district. The youth,
identified as Aasif Ahmad Reshi, resident of Sheikhpora, Bijbehara, and Wakeel
Ahmad Butt, resident of Naibasti, Marhama. were martyred by Indian troops and
paramilitary forces during a cordon and search operation in Tengpowa area of
the district.
https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/10/10/indian-troops-martyr-two-kashmiri-youth-in-iiojk-2.html
3 Fake encounters: Oct., 14, 2022: A dossier compiled by Legal Forum for Kashmir (LFK) has exposed the brutal face of Indian forces’ personnel in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir by compiling a number of fake encounters. The dossier ays Indian occupation forces frequently conduct state-sponsored false flag operations to malign the Kashmir freedom movement and Pakistan. These false flag operations manifest into fake encounters through extra-judicial killings of innocent Kashmiris, who are portrayed as foreign terrorists through information offensive employing pliant Indian media and propaganda as a tool, it says. The LFK dossier points out that since 2000 till 10 October 2022, 146 major fake encounters have been reported in IIOJK in which 269 innocent people have been martyred. It also contains the details about the units of Indian Army, paramilitaries, police and other agencies involved in these staged encounters along with the details of the date and place of occurrence. .The dossier specially mentions the cold-blooded murder of Muhammad Ali Hussain (real name Uzair ur Rehman), a Pakistani national, who was detained in a jail in IIOJK and was killed in a fake encounter in Jammu. It says that in 2006, 26-year-old Muhammad Ali Hussain went missing from his home in Mohallah Akberabad, Haripur Division. Not being able to contact him, his brother reported the matter at a police station on 10 October 2006 and a First Information Report (FIR) was registered by the police.It says that the bereaved family of Muhammad Ali Hussain came to know about his whereabouts through media which reported the arrest of the innocent man by Indian police. Reportedly, on 10 November 2006, Muhammad Ali Hussain was arrested by Vijaynagar Police and subsequently after lapse of four years, on 19 November 2010, consular access was provided to him at Central Jail Tihar. Consular Access Performa shows that he was framed under various sections of Indian Penal Code including attempt to murder. Moreover, during custody he was subjected to brutal torture by the Indian police that resulted in damage to his right ear. The dossier maintains that on 1 July 2022, Indian Ministry of External Affairs, had shared a list of Pakistani prisoners in Indian jails with Pakistani authorities in which despite of being in custody for more than fifteen years, Muhammad Ali Hussain was mentioned to be under-trial. It says that on 17 August, 2022, in a blatant display of state terrorism, Indian police took Muhammad Ali Hussain from Kothbalwal Jail in Jammu, brought him at Toph Arnia area and killed him in a staged encounter. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/10/13/lfk-dossier-exposes-fake-encounter-killings-by-indian-forces-in-iiojk.html
Kashmir Update, 202; Week (Oct 3,2022 to Oct 9, 2022)
1
One martyred; Oct.,
3, 2022: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in
their fresh act of state terrorism martyred a Kashmiri youth in south Kashmir’s
Shopian district, today ( Oct 2). The troops martyred the youth, Naseer Ahmad Butt, a resident of Nowpora
Baskuchan village in south Kashmir’s Shopain district, during a cordon and
search operation (CASO) at Baskuchan village in Imamsahib area of the district.
https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/10/02/indian-troops-martyr-one-kashmiri-youth-in-shopian-4.html
2
Five martyred:
Oct.,6, 2022: Indian troops in their
fresh acts of state terrorism martyred, today, five more Kashmiri youth in
Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir. During cordon and search
operations, the troops martyred three youth in Drach and one in Moolu areas of
Shopian district .The troops shot at and injured a civilian, Asif Ahmad, at a
check-point in Haal area of Pulwama district. Later, the victim succumbed to
his injuries at SMHS hospital in Srinagar. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/10/05/indian-troops-martyr-four-kashmiri-youth-in-shopian.html
3
Fake encounters: Oct.
0. 2022: The All Parties Hurriyat Conference has said that Indian troops
are killing innocent Kashmiri youth in fake encounters in Indian illegally
occupied Jammu and Kashmir to suppress the Kashmiris’ ongoing freedom struggle.
The APHC spokesman in a statement issued in Srinagar said that the troops
abduct innocent Kashmiri youth from their homes, streets and roads, and later
extra-judicially kill them in fake encounters during so-called cordon and
search operations. He said that in a similar way, the troops martyred four
youth in Shopian district on Wednesday. The spokesman said Indian troops and
police have subjected over 8,000 innocent Kashmiris to custodial disappearance
since January 1989. He said the families of these persons fear that the forces’
personnel have killed their dear ones in so-called encounters and buried them
in the unmarked and mass graves discovered across the territory. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/10/08/indian-troops-killing-youth-in-fake-encounters-to-suppress-freedom-struggle-aphc.html
Kashmir Update, 201; Week (Sep 26,2022 to Oct 2, 2022)
1
Two martyred: Sep.,
26, 2022: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in
their fresh act of state terrorism martyred two Kashmiri youth in Kupwara
district, today Sep 25) .The troops martyred the youth during a cordon and
search operation (CASO) in Tekri Nar area of Machil in the district.
https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/09/25/indian-troops-martyr-two-youth-in-iiojk-5.html
2
Two martyred: Sep.,
28,2022: Indian troops in their fresh act of state terrorism, today,
martyred two more Kashmiri youth in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and
Kashmir. The troops martyred the youth during a cordon and search operation in
Ahwatoo area of south Kashmir’s Kulgam district. The fresh killing raised the number of
martyred youth to three in less than twenty four hours. The troops martyred one
youth and injured another in Batpora area of the same district, last night.
https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/09/27/indian-troops-martyr-two-more-youth-in-kulgam-three-in-less-than-24-hours.html
3 Kashmiri diaspora leadership urges UN intervention in
Kashmir ; by
Dr. Fai ;
New York. September 28, 2022. : The leadership of Kashmiri diaspora in
America has urged the United Nations Secretary General to invoke Article 99 of
the United Nations Charter and bring the Governments of India and Pakistan on
the negotiating table along with the genuine leadership of the people of Jammu
& Kashmir to settle the conflict once and for all. The memorandum adds that
the people of Jammu & Kashmir appreciate the principle stand of the United
Nations which you articulated on August 8, 2019, that Kashmir issue has to be
resolved under United Nations Charter and under applicable United nations
Security Council resolutions. They, therefore, urge you to oblige India to
fulfill its pledges of a free United Nations supervised plebiscite in order to
ensure restoration of democracy and social justice in their land. The memorandum
explains that the world has changed remarkably in recent years as the 77th
United Nations General Assembly opens. The United Nations can claim significant
credit for assisting to bring freedoms to the nation of East Timor, Namibia,
Southern Sudan and else. Because of the efforts of the United Nations, millions
of people who have yearned for self-determination now find themselves free.
Unfortunately, however, as the world rejoices and celebrates the freedoms of
these nations, a small forgotten land continues to cry out for the United
Nations intervention. It is the disputed territory of Indian occupied Kashmir.
“For over 75 years, the people of Jammu & Kashmir have been peacefully
struggling for their right to self-determination through a fair and impartial
plebiscite under the auspices of the U.N. While India has systematically
enacted laws, like Domicile Law to integrate Kashmir into India. These laws are
designed to change the demography of Kashmir which are in violations of 18
substantives United Nations resolutions adopted by the Security Council on
Kashmir. India’s refusal to implement these resolutions calling for such a
plebiscite is at the heart of the problem, and she has chosen the path of
indiscriminate murder and intimidation instead of negotiations and peaceful
resolution to the conflict,” the memorandum emphasizes. The memorandum said that the U.N. has the
ability to change this miscarriage of justice and to put an end to the
violence. It is not enough to simply keep a record of cease-fire violations
between India and Pakistan. Too many have died. In fact, the number of deaths
exceeds 100,000. Mohammad Yasin Malik, the most revered and respected leader of
Kashmir is facing a life and death situation. Shabir Ahmed Shah has spent 36
years in prison. Khurram Parvez, who according to TIME is one of the top 100
influential persons of 2022, has been charged under Unlawful Activity
Prevention Act, Masarat Alam’s Public Safety Act (PSA) was quashed 35 times,
but is still in Jail, Aasia Andrabi was slapped with PSA 20 times and has been
transferred to Tihar Jail, India. There are hundreds of political prisoners who
deserve your attention and intervention to be released unconditionally and
without a delay
4 Two martyred; Oct., 1, 2022: Indian troops in their fresh act of state terrorism martyred two innocent Kashmiri youth, today, in an extrajudicial manner in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The troops martyred the youth in a fake encounter during a so-called cordon and search operation in Yedipora Pattan area of Baramulla district. Local people said that the youth were arrested by the troops a few days ago and were martyred in a staged encounter, today. The troops also destroyed a residential house in the area. Separately, the troops carried out a so-called cordon and search operation and resorted to firing at Chitragam in Shopian district, creating panic in the area. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/09/30/indian-troops-martyr-two-youth-in-fake-encounter-in-iiojk.html
Kashmir Update, 200; Week (Sep 19,2022 to Sep 25, 2022)
1
Fai congratulates newly elected President of United
Nations General Assembly:
Washington, D.C. September 21. 2022: “Our mission is to
support concrete solutions having a direct impact on the lives of the people
and the planet. Times is running out and the price we are paying for delays is
on the rise…The protection of human rights and the fight against all forms of discrimination
should be further mainstreamed into our decisions,” this is the vision of
Ambassador Kőrösi Csaba, newly elected President of 77th session
of the United Nations General Assembly. Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Chairman,
Washington-based ‘World Forum for Peace and Justice’ expressed his appreciation
to the newly elected President of UNGA for his inspirational insight. Fai also
offered, on behalf of the people of Jammu & Kashmir sincerest
congratulations on his election as the President of UNGA.“May I be permitted to
raise the unresolved question of Kashmir with you briefly. I would hasten to
add that while we are fully aware of the multiplicity of issues that you will
be devoting your time and attention to in the months to come, you may perhaps
like to remember that Kashmir is not a new issue, having been on the agenda of
and in the cognizance of the United Nations for nearly 75 years. Ironically, it is the only entity in the
region of South Asia, which has so far been denied the opportunity to determine
its political future,” Fai emphasized.
Dr. Fai clarified that, we are by no means unmindful of the fact
that, in your capacity as the President of UNGA, you have to be impartial
between the parties concerned and perceived to be so. However, it is,
therefore, on the ground of the recognized principles of the Charter of the
United Nations and respect for international agreements and for the resolutions
of the Security Council that we approach you with the appeal that you exercise
your good offices to urge India and Pakistan to explore a solution of the
Kashmir dispute in accordance with the wishes and aspirations of the people of
all zones of the State of Jammu & Kashmir. Fai warned that the persistence of this
problem has been a source of weakness for both India and Pakistan. It has
diminished both these neighboring countries. The world powers draw great
satisfaction from India’s striking economic progress which will enable India to
play its rightful role as a great power. That kind of role can only be hobbled
by a festering problem. A great power cannot afford disputed boundaries if
it wishes to maintain or enhance its prestige and influence; a small or even a
medium power can live with them indefinitely. Dr. Fai
drew the attention of the President to the observations made by some Indian
intellectuals, diplomats and journalist who perceive a growing awareness in the
Indian middle class that the persistence of the Kashmir problem weakens India
by diminishing its stature among the great powers. As a matter of fact, there
have always existed saner elements in India which have questioned both the
ethics and the practical advantage of India’s intransigence on Kashmir. As they
have received little support from outside, they have remained mostly subdued. But the apparent failure
of India’s policies, the tattered regime it maintains in Kashmir and the losses
it has made to sustain in Kashmir, despite the employment of an overwhelming
force 900,000 Indian army to brutalize the people into submission all these seem to be bringing home to more
and more people in India, even in its army, that the game is not worth the
candle. But this constructive trend will vanish if the world powers are seen as
tolerant of India’s obduracy and unmindful of healthier opinion in India itself
about what is best for India. It should not be futile now to ask that Kashmir
be looked at not as a dispute between India and Pakistan but as a
problem of India and Pakistan together. Fai urged the President, UNGA to use his
office to persuade India to rescind the Domicile Law immediately which is
designed to change the demography of Kashmir; and which is in violations of all
the UN Security Council resolutions which were accepted not only India and
Pakistan but also by the world body.
2
Turkey
on Kashmir: Sep., 23, 2022: United
Nations: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday once again raked up
the Kashmir issue during his address to world leaders at the high-level UN
General Assembly session here. In recent years, the Turkish leader has referred
to the Kashmir issue in his address to world leaders at the high-level UN
General Assembly
https://kashmirreader.com/2022/09/22/erdogan-brings-up-kashmir-issue-in-unga-address/
Kashmir Update, 199; Week (Sep 12,2022 to Sep 18, 2022)
1
India’s unilateralism has never
been accepted by the United Nations ny Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai: September 10, 2022: The dispute over
Jammu & Kashmir is not insoluble through peaceful procedures. It appears to
be so only because the obduracy of one of the parties India is encouraged by
the apathy of the world powers. To cover its ‘wrongful occupation of Kashmir’,
India has skillfully propagated a series of myths about the genesis and nature
of the dispute which have never been accepted by the United Nations. India
knows it well that she stands in flagrant violation of UN Security Council
resolutions mandating a self-determination plebiscite in Jammu and Kashmir,
conducted by the UN. India apostatized from its self-determination pledge when
it realized that the people of Kashmir would not vote accession to its nation;
it thus contrived excuses for non-implementations and insisted that non implementation
made the resolutions on Kashmir obsolete. Not knowing that mere passage of time
or the flight from realities cannot alter the fact that these resolutions
remain unimplemented until today. The passage of time cannot invalidate an
enduring and irreplaceable principle the right of self-determination of the
people of Kashmir, India unilaterally announced that the people of Kashmir
through semaphore or necromancy had signaled their craving to become India’s
integral part. That unilateralism has never been accepted by the United
Nations, including United States. India has irretrievably lost the hearts and
minds of the people in the state of Jammu & Kashmir due to the unimaginable
atrocities committed by its army on the civilian population. Why else must India
deploy an arresting 900,000 military and paramilitary forces, making Kashmir as
mentioned by Arundhati Roy, one of India’s best-known authors, “the most
militarized zone on earth.” India surmised that she needs 6,000 to 12,000
troops to hold a free and fair plebiscite (referendum / election) in Kashmir
during the negotiations at the Security Council in early 10950’s. As much as
the cruelty to which the people of Kashmir have been subjected, the inaction,
the virtually permissive inaction, of the great powers regarding their
situation has been a cause of the greatest sorrow to the people of Kashmir.
They are placed under an unwanted and abhorrent military occupation. A place
famed for its celebrated scenic beautify has been turned into a theatre of
suffering unparalleled in this part of the world and unprecedented in Kashmir’s
own history. This is exactly what the New York Times wrote on August 10, 2019,
“Inside Kashmir, Cut Off From the World: ‘A Living Hell’ of Anger and Fear.”
With the help of systematic murder, rape, and arson a pattern which preceded and has outlasted
the horrors of Bosnia and Kosovo the Indian occupation army is trying to
brutalize the people of Kashmir into submission. Dr. Gregory Stanton, President
‘The Genocide Watch’ warned on February 5, 2021, that Kashmir is on the brink
of genocide. And New York based, Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) says,
the news media in Kashmir has been pushed to the brink of extinction. The most
baffling phenomenon regarding this situation in Kashmir is that it has been
allowed to arise and to persist in a territory which, under international law,
does not belong to any member state of the United Nations and whose status is
yet to be decided by its people. What else makes the indifference impossible to
understand is that the Kashmir problem is not politically an uncharged terrain
about which no road map exists. The United Nations has at its inception devoted
immense labor and thought to its solution. The fact cannot be gainsaid or
dismissed that the terms of settlement it recommended did elicit the agreement
of both India and Pakistan. The very basis, the consent of the people of
Kashmir, remains inviolable. Neither pragmatism nor morality sanctions the
setting aside of this basis. Shouldn’t Modi administration respect the word of
honor given by Sir Gopalswamy Ayyanger, the Indian delegate at the United
Nations Security Council on January 15, 1948, “In a statement Sir Ayyanger
said, “The question of the future status of Kashmir vis-Ã -vis her neighbors and
the world at large and a further question, namely, whether she should withdraw
from her accession to India and either accede to Pakistan or remain
independent, with a right to claim admission as a member of the United Nations
– all this we have recognized to be a matter for an unfettered decision by the
people of Kashmir…." It is a basic principle of international relations
that disputes are destined to be resolved. Is the Kashmir dispute too complex
to be resolved? The answer is NO. Complexity is in the eyes of the beholder.
There is no international dispute which has not been complex. If there is an
interest in a settlement, the complexity becomes a motivating factor; if there
is none, it becomes an excuse for passivity and inaction. Being in Washington,
DC, I can smell that some so-called experts do suggest pursuing President
Musharraf’s four-point formula for the resolution of Kashmir. Musharraf Formula
is an ideal non-solution. It sanctifies the Line of Control (Ceasefire line)
into an international border. LoC in Kashmir is actually the Line of Conflict.
As long as it will remain clamped down on the state of Jammu & Kashmir, it
will continue to impose a heavy toll of death on the people of the land. They
have had no hand in creating this line. They are not resigned to it becoming
some kind of an international border. It has cut through homes, separated
families, and served as protecting wall for massive violations of human rights.
This line of terror and iniquity deserves to be wiped out. It can be erased
peacefully by the free ascertainment of the will of the people on both sides of
the Ceasefire Line. In an alternative, it stands as a provocation to violence
which, even if curbed for limited periods, will always return with greater
force. What can the international community do to advance the peace enterprise?
Galvanize moral suasion against the recalcitrance of any party to the Kashmir
dispute as powerful as that brandished against South Africa’s apartheid and the
international slave trade a century earlier. Never underestimate the influence
of prevailing moral sentiments in human affairs, for good or for evil. And the
lives and hopes of too many people are at stake in Jammu & Kashmir and
South Asia generally to be left to the mercies of a ‘might-makes-right’ policy.
The international community needs to understand that the solution to the
sufferings and pain in Kashmir is both crucial and vital. The pain felt by the
people of Kashmir is no calamitous than that felt by the people of Namibia or
East Timor. The torture and imprisonment in Kashmir is no less acute than it
was in Bosnia and Kosovo. In fact, the pain, suffering and humiliation in
Kashmir is intensified because the people of Jammu & Kashmir have been
under occupation for more than 75 years. Certainly today, no issue is of.
greater urgency and concern than the Kashmir issue where two nuclear powers,
uninhibited by any treaty constraints, glare at each other over this territory.
Kashmir and Kashmir alone is the issue that has kept India and Pakistan from
normalizing their relations, and it is Kashmir alone that has led to three
wars, excessive militarization and nuclearization. Lastly, Kashmir issue offers
both hope and dangers. If the world powers do not respond timely and justly,
the Kashmir issue can lead to a nuclear holocaust. However, a just, democratic,
and peaceful solution can only lead to freeing the forces of development and
progress in South Asia, ringing the peace dividend to the entire region, and
humanity as a whole.
2
One martyred: Sep.,
13. 2022: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in
their fresh act of state terrorism martyred one Kashmiri youth in south
Kashmir’s Shopian district, today(Sep 12) .The troops martyred the youth during
a cordon and search operation in Heff Shirmal area of the district
https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/09/12/indian-troops-martyr-one-kashmniri-youth-in-iiojk.html
3 LAC disengagement: Sep., 14, 2022:India
and China on Tuesday verified the withdrawal
of troops from Patrolling Point (PP) 15 in the Gogra-Hot Springs area of
Eastern Ladakh, defence sources said. The exercise marked the completion of
disengagement between the forces in the area. The verification exercise was
carried out to ensure compliance including aerial surveillance. Although
Beijing welcomed the disengagement, it also said India’s demand for restoration
of status quo ante prior to the standoff will not be accepted, saying that “the
status quo of April 2020 was created by India’s illegal crossing of the LAC”.
4 Two martyred: Sep., 15, 2022: Two martyred in a gunfight in the Nowgam area of Srinagar district on Wednesday evening, police said. Kashmir Zone Police informed that a gunfight broke out in the Nowgam area on specific information generated by police. https://thekashmirwalla.com/two-aguh-militants-killed-in-srinagar-gunfight-says-police/
Kashmir Update, 198; Week (Sep 5,2022 to Sep 11, 2022)
1 Two Martyred: Sep., 6, 2022: Two
Mujahids martyred in encounter with indian army at #Poshkeeri area of #Anantnag in South Kashmir has been identified as
Danish Bhat @ Kokab Duree from Jablipora & Basharat Nabi from Fethapora . https://thekashmirwalla.com/anantnag-gunfight-two-militants-killed-operation-on-2/.
2 Report: Sep., 9,2022:Kashmir Media Service, in collaboration with All Parties Hurriyat Conference Azad Kashmir Chapter, today, released a report based on data about the human rights violations and atrocities being committed on innocent Kashmiris by Indian forces during the last six months in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The six months report, from January 2022 to June 2022, said that 140 persons, including five young boys, were martyred by Indian troops in the occupied territory.The report said that Indian troops, involved in gross human rights violations and other crimes, have arrested over 854 youth and injured 104 people during cordon and search operations in the territory. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/09/08/indian-troops-martyred-140-persons-during-last-6-month-in-iiojk-report.html
Kashmir Update, 197; Week (Aug 29,2022 to Sep 4, 2022)
1
Rape by Indian
Armed Forces men unpunished: Aug., 31, 2022:On 29 May 2009, two
young women, Asiya (17) and her sister-in-law Neelofar (22), married to Shakeel
Ahmad Ahanger, went missing in the evening while returning home from their
family orchard in Nagbal area of South Kashmir’s Shopian. On the following
morning, they were found dead near the Rambiara Nala by a team of cops along
with Shakeel; leaving behind his barely 2-year-old son, Suzain. After the
initial investigation, on the direction of Omar Abdullah led government,
Justice Jan Commission was formed to deliver the justice. The report by the
commission concluded that the two women have been raped and murdered by ‘men in
uniform’. Later on, a number of Indian investigative agencies came into the
scene only to spoil the broth. It’s been 12 years, and every wound is still
burning. We are still suffering the same what we were suffering then,” says
Ahanger, sitting in an under-lit room, displaying the timeline of his life
through magazine covers since May 2009. As the tired Ahanger narrated, the long
struggle for justice has always been a walk on spikes for his family. http://kmsnews.org/news/category/articles/
2
64
JAMMU AND KASHMIR CONGRESS LEADERS QUIT PARTY IN SUPPORT OF GHULAM NABI AZAD; Aug., 31, 2022: As many as 64
senior Congress leaders, including former Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand,
resigned from the party in support of Ghulam Nabi Azad in Jammu on August 30, asserting
that Azad’s vision will shape a new and bright future for Jammu and
Kashmir.They submitted a joint resignation letter to Congress president Sonia
Gandhi. Chand along with others, including former ministers Abdul Majid Wani,
Manohar Lal Sharma, Gharu Ram and former MLA Balwan Singh, announced their
resignations from the Congress, at a press conference. Azad, 73, former Chief
Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, ended his five-decade association with the
Congress on Friday, terming the party “comprehensively destroyed” and lashing
out at Rahul Gandhi for “demolishing” its entire consultative mechanism.“All of
us had a very long association with the party spanning over decades and devoted
all our energy and resources towards expanding the party in Jammu and Kashmir
but unfortunately we found that the treatment meted out to us was humiliating,”
Singh said, reading out from the joint resignation letter signed by 64 leaders
and senior functionaries from across Jammu Province.The letter further said,
“With our leader and mentor Ghulam Nabi Azad having resigned from the party on
the issue listed by him in a letter to you [Sonia], we believe that we should
also come out of Congress to make some worthwhile contribution in building a
positive political society where people are heard and responded to.”Azad will
soon launch a national-level party from Jammu and Kashmir. “We all support Azad
and we will join him in his journey to lead J&K to a bright future,” they
said in the resignation letter.Claiming that Jammu and Kashmir is facing an
unprecedented crisis in the absence of an elected government, Singh said Azad’s
decision to launch a national level party from Jammu will inspire hope and new
determination to set things right once and for all. “We are confident that
J&K will be able to get statehood back after a gap of three years under the
leadership of Azad. He is the sole and most powerful voice for statehood of
J&K and early elections,” he said.Singh said Azad is a perennial hope for
the people of J&K for bridging gaps between regions and communities. “We
are sure that his [Azad’s] vision will help J&K and its depressed masses to
come out of the dark shadows of pessimism and shape a new and bright future for
J&K,” he said.Over a dozen prominent Congress leaders, including former
ministers and legislators, besides hundreds of Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI)
members, municipal corporators and district and block level leaders have already
left the Congress to join Azad over the past four days.(my comments: This
move will support BP in seeing a nin Muslim CM for the occupied land)
3 Amnesty International ; Sep 4 2022; Amnesty International on Saturday expressed grave concern over the intensified repression of rights in India-occupied Jammu and Kashmir in the last three years. In a report titled, “‘We are being punished by the law’: Three years since of abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu & Kashmir” released yesterday, the human rights watchdog observed that in recent years, civil society members, journalists, lawyers and human rights defenders in the region had faced relentless interrogations, arbitrary travel bans, revolving door detentions and repressive media policies. “For three years now, civil society and media in Jammu and Kashmir have been subjected to a vicious crackdown by the Indian government, which is determined to stifle dissent using draconian laws, policies and unlawful practices in their arsenal,” said Aakar Patel, chair of the board of Amnesty International India, in the report. “By harassing and intimidating critical voices, authorities are targeting all credible, independent sources of information in and about Jammu and Kashmir. There is a silence achieved on all dissent through heavy-handed repression which has spread fear and uncertainty in the region,” he added. The watchdog said that it had recorded at least 60 instances of crackdowns on journalists and human rights defenders since August 2019. “After an initial 18-month internet shutdown, the Indian authorities still often suspend internet services in various parts of Kashmir often without any prior notice,” the report highlighted, adding that the sudden “forced closure” of the Kashmir Press Club in 2022 by the Indian government was a “big blow to the already disintegrating media pool”.The human rights body also found that at least six individuals including journalists, human rights activists and academics in the region were stopped from travelling abroad despite having requisite travel documents, which it said was a violation of their freedom of movement.The report stated that at least 27 journalists had been arrested and detained by the Indian authorities since 5 August 2019. “Several journalists including Fahad Shah, Aasif Sultan and Sajad Gul have been subjected to ‘revolving door’ arrests. In a continuing pattern, they have been arrested under one law, granted bail by the court, and then re-arrested almost immediately under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) — India’s primary anti-terror law in Jammu & Kashmir, keeping them perpetually detained. “Amnesty International reviewed 1,346 cases available on the website of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir. It found that by 1 August 2022, the number of habeas corpus petitions have increased by 32 per cent, indicating an increase in unlawful detention in the last three years,” it revealed. Amnesty International also reviewed the data published by the Indian National Crime Record Bureau and found that there had been a 12pc increase in the use of UAPA (Unlawful Activities Prevention Act) in Jammu and Kashmir since 2019. “This emerging trend of using the draconian UAPA in addition to the much-abused Public Safety Act (PSA) is also evidenced by an analysis of information on the High Court’s website,” it noted. Furthermore, the human rights watchdog said that unlawful killings of the people of occupied Kashmir by armed groups had recently increased. Quoting an analysis of the official data by the Indian government, it said that unlawful killings of civilians by armed groups had increased by 20pc in the past three years. “There is a lack of accountability for use of force in the region by the police due to the continued enforcement of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) which grants them additional powers and impunity and falls short of international human rights standards.”Subsequently, Amnesty called on the Indian government to immediately release those arbitrarily detained under administrative detention and other repressive laws and ensure that they were tried promptly and fairly in a regular court. https://www.dawn.com/news/1708212/amnesty-expresses-grave-concern-over-repression-of-rights-in-occupied-kashmir
Kashmir Update, 196; Week (Aug 22,2022 to Aug 28, 2022)
1
Lest we forget: Khurram
ParvezLPart one of two parts article: by Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai: Aug., 18, 2022: We are too familiar with hacking of
Kashmiri websites, now we are experiencing the same with one of the most
familiar and the most visited websites of ‘Jammu Kashmir Coalition of Civil
Society’, (JKCCS) of which Khurram Parvez is the coordinator. This JKCSS
website was hacked many times in the past. It happened again today, August 15,
2022, at 12.15 p.m. (New York time). JKCCS homepage contains the unintelligible
and incomprehensible message. At times, it is impossible even to download the
excellent reports prepared by Khurram Parvez and his team. Therefore, I
consider it a privilege to write a brief account about the reports, prepared by
JKCCS before they evaporate from its website. I want in particular to discuss a
799-pages report entitled, “The Structure of Violence (TSOV)” jointly prepared
by ‘The International Peoples' Tribunal on Human Rights and Justice in
Indian-Administered Kashmir’[IPTK] and ‘The Association of Parents of
Disappeared Persons’ [APDP]. TSOV report encapsulates in chilling detail the tragedy
of Kashmir. It documents the gross violations of human rights that India and
its occupation forces now believed to number 900,000, have committed in Kashmir
since 1990. I would like to emphasize that every single fact contained in these
painstaking accounts, every single incident documented, every violation
recorded is fully authenticated. You merely will have to read the entries to
experience the clear ring of truth, which in Kashmir is often brutal and
chilling. These reports are the best testimonies, testimonies which remain
unassailable and beyond challenge, of the atrocities perpetrated against
innocent Kashmiri civilians in the name of state security. These are the
documents that damn those who profess to practice democracy and who never tire
of lecturing the rest of the world on higher moral values. The reality of the
Indian state is mirrored in these pages, unadorned, unvarnished, and
unexpurgated. Please read this report for what it says because it tells the
story of Kashmir with brutal frankness, unsparing realism and absolute clarity.
Khurram Parvez, Chairperson of Philippines-based ‘Asian Federation Against
Involuntary Disappearances” himself has delivered the hard copies of the TSOV
report to the office of ‘UN High Commissioner on Human Rights’ Office of the
‘UN Secretary General’, many international NGO’s and various dignitaries.
Although Khurram Parvez was recognized as one of the 100 most influential
people of the world by US-based Time Magazine in 2022 but he can no longer
present this report to anybody anymore because he was arrested by the National
Investigative Agency (NIA) of India on November 21, 2021, under terror law,
Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). Under UAPA a person can be
incarcerated up to 180 days without a charge sheet being filed. It does not
allow right to dissent. The Amnesty International (AI) has said that UAPA has
been used to “target journalists and human rights defenders who criticize
government policies.” AI also wrote on November 23, 2021, “The arrest of
Kashmiri activist Khurram Parvez is yet another example of how anti-terror laws
are being misused to criminalize human rights work & stifle dissent in
India. Instead of targeting HRDs, authorities should focus on bringing
accountability for human rights violations.” The arrest of Khurram Parvez is,
‘a really troubling development’ wrote New York-based Human Rights Watch; and
Geneva-based The World Organisation Against Torture’ called for the immediate
release of Khurram Parvez. Mary Lawlor, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human
Rights Defender tweeted: ‘Khurram Parvez is not a terrorist. He is a Human
Rights Defender.’ Khurram Parvez spoke at an International Kashmir Conference
in 2015, organized by ‘World Kashmir Awareness Forum’. Among others who spoke
during the conference included Ramsay Clark, former United States Attorney
General. Khurram Parvez focused on the context in which human rights abuses in
the state of Jammu and Kashmir were perceived. ‘You cannot understand human
rights if you don’t understand the context. Human rights abuses are taking
place all around the world, in many places, including in India,’ Khurram
stated. ‘But the difference is these are happening because of aberrations,
deficiencies in governance, and because people transgress the law. What is
happening in Kashmir is not an aberration, it is part of an institutionalized
policy of the Indian government.’ Highlighting the publication of various
reports, Khurram said ‘Our argument is that if we don’t do it we will never be
able to prove that human rights abuses are taking place. We have been able to
engage with the Jammu and Kashmir judiciary.’ With information coming from both
police and government sources, he emphasized that in the cases under review,
including Kunan Poshpura in 1991 and the massacre of Sikhs on the eve of
President Clinton’s visit to India in March 2000, there were 972 alleged
perpetrators. ‘In all these cases we have gone to the courts and tried our best
to find justice within the Indian system.’ Furthermore, Mr. Parvez emphasized
that the cases they had reviewed were not the only cases. ‘There are thousands
of others. Filing a First Information Report (FIR) is a big task in itself, it
can take 1-2 years to get the police to register a complaint, so you can
imagine how difficult it is for people to fight for justice. Then there is a
phase of investigation and sometimes the charge sheets have not been honored.
This is especially true in circumstances where the army feels itself above the
law’. Repression and cover-up has become institutionalized, Khurram said. In
terms of delivering justice, he emphasized that the Armed Forces Special Powers
Act (AFSPA) ‘has become one of the factors of impunity. It has to go.’ Mr.
Parvez also explained that one of the main reasons relating to disappearances
was the monetary incentive for killing a ‘militant’ in Kashmir. ‘If you want to
make money you have to kill a militant.’ According to government figures, since
there are only 150 militants left in Jammu and Kashmir, invariably those killed
were claimed to be unidentified foreign militants. But he said, ‘how do you
know the nationality of people if they are unidentified?’ Turning to discuss
the role of the international community, Mr. Parvez related how previously it
had used human rights abuses to push India towards dialogue. But, he said, the
Indian government views dialogue as an ‘end in itself’ and the rights of the
people cannot wait for the resolution of the dispute. ‘We are being held
hostage for even our basic needs. Even when dialogue is taking place, human
rights are being abused. We accept that the Indian government needs some time
for resolution but that does not mean the rights of the people should be
suspended. We believe there has to be a process, now in Kashmir, for improving
human rights abuses on the pattern of special procedures. If it was done for
Sri Lanka and Rwanda why not for Kashmir?’ ‘Human rights are a world problem,’
Mr. Parvez added. ‘They are not an internal matter. We have seen the
transformation of the movement from violence to nonviolence in Kashmir.’ But,
he warned, there was a trend among young people again resorting to violence.
‘It is very sad for us, that young people should want to use violence. But the
argument they use is that our voice does not reach anywhere.’ While India
continues to ‘legitimize’ its presence, Mr. Parvez pleaded for the
international community, whose assistance to date had been ‘dismal’ and all the
organizations working for Kashmir to bring pressure to lobby for a United
Nations ‘probe’ on the situation in Kashmir. Without such intervention, he
said, ‘we cannot proceed forward. We are now at a stage where it is a complete
dead end. We have done everything; we have met everyone in the government, but
nothing has changed. Now, back to ‘The Structure of Violence’ (TSOV ) report.
It is a detailed report on torture by Indian military and paramilitary forces
in Jammu & Kashmir. The report begins by saying that “Prepared over two
years, this report is a part of the continuing work to understand and analyze
the role of the Indian State in Jammu and Kashmir, an occupied territory
internationally recognized as a disputed territory between India and Pakistan,
that has resulted in widespread and systematic violence including the
disappearance of 8000+ persons, 70,000+ deaths, 6000+ unknown, unmarked and
mass graves, and countless cases of torture and sexual violence.” It continues,
“Human rights groups, activists, journalists, filmmakers, lawyers and civil
society groups have written, filmed, documented, litigated, brought attention
to, and reproduced material that has repeatedly highlighted the violence and
politics of the Indian State and the everyday militarized reality of Jammu and
Kashmir.” May I quote just few more excerpts from TSOV report as symbolic of
the nightmare of the people of Kashmir. May I also add that hundreds of such
and even more horrifying incidents of inhumanity are recorded in these pages.
TSOV report, while illustrating the patterns of violence through individual
case studies, is directly concerned with identifying the structure, forms, and
tactics of violence of the Indian State in Jammu and Kashmir. How did/does the
Indian State perpetrate this violence? What precisely is the structure,
physical and institutional, through which weapons, ammunition, soldiers,
officers, camps, and battalions inflict violence on the people of Jammu and
Kashmir? Where is the control? The driving motivation of this exercise is, as
has always been Responsibility. Who do we hold responsible for the individual
and collected acts of violence? (To be
concluded).
2
Outsiders to vote: Aug., 18, 2022: In
utter violation of the United Nations resolutions, the Modi led Indian
government has allowed its citizens, temporarily residing in Indian illegally
occupied Jammu and Kashmir, to vote in so-called assembly elections. This was
announced by the Indian Chief Electoral Officer for IIOJK chapter Hridesh Kumar
Singh in a statement on Wednesday. He said, “Non-Locals residing in Jammu
Kashmir can also vote in Assembly elections”.Chief Electoral Officer Hridesh
Kumar Singh said that the final voter lists in IIOJK be released on November
25, 2022. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/08/17/india-flouts-un-resolutions-allows-its-citizens-to-vote-in-iiojk-assembly-polls.html
3
Prisoner martyred:
Aug., 19,
2022: In
Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir; the Indian police martyred a
prisoner in a fake encounter in Jammu district. Indian police took a political prisoner Mohammad Ali Hussain from
Kothbalwal Jail Jammu and brought him to Toph Arnia area and killed him in the
staged encounter. This is the second extrajudicial killing of AJK prisoners as
earlier one political prisoner , Zia Mustafa, from Rawalakot, was taken out of
the Kothbalwal jail jammu and brought to forests in Poonch by the Indian troops
and was subsequently killed in firing in October 2021. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/08/18/prisoner-martyred-by-indian-police-in-jammu.html
4
Two martyred: Aug 24
2022: in Indian illegally
occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in their fresh act of state terrorism
martyred two Kashmiri youth in Rajouri district, today(Aug, 23, 2022. The
troops during their continued violent military operations martyred the youth in
Pukharni in Nowsherea area of the district. An official told media men that the
troops deployed near the Line of Control killed two persons and their bodies
are lying near the fence, while attempts are being made to recover them.
Earlier on Sunday, during operation the troops shot and injured a youth and
arrested him while he was looking after his cattle near the Line of Control
near the fence. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/08/23/indian-troops-martyr-two-youth-in-rajouri.html
5
Three martyred: Aug.
26, 2022: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in
their fresh act of state terrorism martyred three Kashmiri youth in Baramulla
district, today(Aug 25).The troops martyred the youth during a violent military
operation in Kamalkote, Uri area of the district.
https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/08/25/indian-troops-martyr-three-kashmiri-youth-in-baramulla-2.html
6 British report on human rights violations in IOJ&K: Aug., 26, 2022: The Stoke White Investigations (SWI) said in a report, released on Wednesday, that there were 450 incidents of violence in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir in 2020-21, exposing Indian brutalities and war crimes against the Kashmiri people. The report, titled ‘India Silencing Journalism and Human Rights in Kashmir’ also said that there were 100 of enforced disappearances in IIOJK besides 30 cases of sexual violence and 1,500 cases of pellet guns were reported. The Legal Forum for Kashmir (LFK) and the Britain-based investigating unit, the SWI issued a report on human rights violations in IIOJK for documenting the Indian war crimes at the Islamabad Press Club. It also released dossier on India’s treatment of Kashmiri journalists and human rights defenders in IIOJK. https://tribune.com.pk/story/2373053/british-investigators-expose-indias-war-crimes-in-iiojk
Kashmir Update, 195; Week (Aug 15,2022 to Aug 21, 2022)
1
Lest we forget: Khurram
ParvezLPart one of two parts article: by Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai: Aug., 18, 2022: We are too familiar with hacking of
Kashmiri websites, now we are experiencing the same with one of the most
familiar and the most visited websites of ‘Jammu Kashmir Coalition of Civil
Society’, (JKCCS) of which Khurram Parvez is the coordinator. This JKCSS
website was hacked many times in the past. It happened again today, August 15,
2022, at 12.15 p.m. (New York time). JKCCS homepage contains the unintelligible
and incomprehensible message. At times, it is impossible even to download the
excellent reports prepared by Khurram Parvez and his team. Therefore, I
consider it a privilege to write a brief account about the reports, prepared by
JKCCS before they evaporate from its website. I want in particular to discuss a
799-pages report entitled, “The Structure of Violence (TSOV)” jointly prepared
by ‘The International Peoples' Tribunal on Human Rights and Justice in
Indian-Administered Kashmir’[IPTK] and ‘The Association of Parents of
Disappeared Persons’ [APDP]. TSOV report encapsulates in chilling detail the tragedy
of Kashmir. It documents the gross violations of human rights that India and
its occupation forces now believed to number 900,000, have committed in Kashmir
since 1990. I would like to emphasize that every single fact contained in these
painstaking accounts, every single incident documented, every violation
recorded is fully authenticated. You merely will have to read the entries to
experience the clear ring of truth, which in Kashmir is often brutal and
chilling. These reports are the best testimonies, testimonies which remain
unassailable and beyond challenge, of the atrocities perpetrated against
innocent Kashmiri civilians in the name of state security. These are the
documents that damn those who profess to practice democracy and who never tire
of lecturing the rest of the world on higher moral values. The reality of the
Indian state is mirrored in these pages, unadorned, unvarnished, and
unexpurgated. Please read this report for what it says because it tells the
story of Kashmir with brutal frankness, unsparing realism and absolute clarity.
Khurram Parvez, Chairperson of Philippines-based ‘Asian Federation Against
Involuntary Disappearances” himself has delivered the hard copies of the TSOV
report to the office of ‘UN High Commissioner on Human Rights’ Office of the
‘UN Secretary General’, many international NGO’s and various dignitaries.
Although Khurram Parvez was recognized as one of the 100 most influential
people of the world by US-based Time Magazine in 2022 but he can no longer
present this report to anybody anymore because he was arrested by the National
Investigative Agency (NIA) of India on November 21, 2021, under terror law,
Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). Under UAPA a person can be
incarcerated up to 180 days without a charge sheet being filed. It does not
allow right to dissent. The Amnesty International (AI) has said that UAPA has
been used to “target journalists and human rights defenders who criticize
government policies.” AI also wrote on November 23, 2021, “The arrest of
Kashmiri activist Khurram Parvez is yet another example of how anti-terror laws
are being misused to criminalize human rights work & stifle dissent in
India. Instead of targeting HRDs, authorities should focus on bringing
accountability for human rights violations.” The arrest of Khurram Parvez is,
‘a really troubling development’ wrote New York-based Human Rights Watch; and
Geneva-based The World Organisation Against Torture’ called for the immediate
release of Khurram Parvez. Mary Lawlor, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human
Rights Defender tweeted: ‘Khurram Parvez is not a terrorist. He is a Human
Rights Defender.’ Khurram Parvez spoke at an International Kashmir Conference
in 2015, organized by ‘World Kashmir Awareness Forum’. Among others who spoke
during the conference included Ramsay Clark, former United States Attorney
General. Khurram Parvez focused on the context in which human rights abuses in
the state of Jammu and Kashmir were perceived. ‘You cannot understand human
rights if you don’t understand the context. Human rights abuses are taking
place all around the world, in many places, including in India,’ Khurram
stated. ‘But the difference is these are happening because of aberrations,
deficiencies in governance, and because people transgress the law. What is
happening in Kashmir is not an aberration, it is part of an institutionalized
policy of the Indian government.’ Highlighting the publication of various
reports, Khurram said ‘Our argument is that if we don’t do it we will never be
able to prove that human rights abuses are taking place. We have been able to
engage with the Jammu and Kashmir judiciary.’ With information coming from both
police and government sources, he emphasized that in the cases under review,
including Kunan Poshpura in 1991 and the massacre of Sikhs on the eve of
President Clinton’s visit to India in March 2000, there were 972 alleged
perpetrators. ‘In all these cases we have gone to the courts and tried our best
to find justice within the Indian system.’ Furthermore, Mr. Parvez emphasized
that the cases they had reviewed were not the only cases. ‘There are thousands
of others. Filing a First Information Report (FIR) is a big task in itself, it
can take 1-2 years to get the police to register a complaint, so you can
imagine how difficult it is for people to fight for justice. Then there is a
phase of investigation and sometimes the charge sheets have not been honored.
This is especially true in circumstances where the army feels itself above the
law’. Repression and cover-up has become institutionalized, Khurram said. In
terms of delivering justice, he emphasized that the Armed Forces Special Powers
Act (AFSPA) ‘has become one of the factors of impunity. It has to go.’ Mr.
Parvez also explained that one of the main reasons relating to disappearances
was the monetary incentive for killing a ‘militant’ in Kashmir. ‘If you want to
make money you have to kill a militant.’ According to government figures, since
there are only 150 militants left in Jammu and Kashmir, invariably those killed
were claimed to be unidentified foreign militants. But he said, ‘how do you
know the nationality of people if they are unidentified?’ Turning to discuss
the role of the international community, Mr. Parvez related how previously it
had used human rights abuses to push India towards dialogue. But, he said, the
Indian government views dialogue as an ‘end in itself’ and the rights of the
people cannot wait for the resolution of the dispute. ‘We are being held
hostage for even our basic needs. Even when dialogue is taking place, human
rights are being abused. We accept that the Indian government needs some time
for resolution but that does not mean the rights of the people should be
suspended. We believe there has to be a process, now in Kashmir, for improving
human rights abuses on the pattern of special procedures. If it was done for
Sri Lanka and Rwanda why not for Kashmir?’ ‘Human rights are a world problem,’
Mr. Parvez added. ‘They are not an internal matter. We have seen the
transformation of the movement from violence to nonviolence in Kashmir.’ But,
he warned, there was a trend among young people again resorting to violence.
‘It is very sad for us, that young people should want to use violence. But the
argument they use is that our voice does not reach anywhere.’ While India
continues to ‘legitimize’ its presence, Mr. Parvez pleaded for the
international community, whose assistance to date had been ‘dismal’ and all the
organizations working for Kashmir to bring pressure to lobby for a United
Nations ‘probe’ on the situation in Kashmir. Without such intervention, he
said, ‘we cannot proceed forward. We are now at a stage where it is a complete
dead end. We have done everything; we have met everyone in the government, but
nothing has changed. Now, back to ‘The Structure of Violence’ (TSOV ) report.
It is a detailed report on torture by Indian military and paramilitary forces
in Jammu & Kashmir. The report begins by saying that “Prepared over two
years, this report is a part of the continuing work to understand and analyze
the role of the Indian State in Jammu and Kashmir, an occupied territory
internationally recognized as a disputed territory between India and Pakistan,
that has resulted in widespread and systematic violence including the
disappearance of 8000+ persons, 70,000+ deaths, 6000+ unknown, unmarked and
mass graves, and countless cases of torture and sexual violence.” It continues,
“Human rights groups, activists, journalists, filmmakers, lawyers and civil
society groups have written, filmed, documented, litigated, brought attention
to, and reproduced material that has repeatedly highlighted the violence and
politics of the Indian State and the everyday militarized reality of Jammu and
Kashmir.” May I quote just few more excerpts from TSOV report as symbolic of
the nightmare of the people of Kashmir. May I also add that hundreds of such
and even more horrifying incidents of inhumanity are recorded in these pages.
TSOV report, while illustrating the patterns of violence through individual
case studies, is directly concerned with identifying the structure, forms, and
tactics of violence of the Indian State in Jammu and Kashmir. How did/does the
Indian State perpetrate this violence? What precisely is the structure,
physical and institutional, through which weapons, ammunition, soldiers,
officers, camps, and battalions inflict violence on the people of Jammu and
Kashmir? Where is the control? The driving motivation of this exercise is, as
has always been Responsibility. Who do we hold responsible for the individual
and collected acts of violence? (To be
concluded).
2
Outsiders to vote: Aug., 18, 2022: In
utter violation of the United Nations resolutions, the Modi led Indian
government has allowed its citizens, temporarily residing in Indian illegally
occupied Jammu and Kashmir, to vote in so-called assembly elections. This was
announced by the Indian Chief Electoral Officer for IIOJK chapter Hridesh Kumar
Singh in a statement on Wednesday. He said, “Non-Locals residing in Jammu
Kashmir can also vote in Assembly elections”.Chief Electoral Officer Hridesh
Kumar Singh said that the final voter lists in IIOJK be released on November
25, 2022. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/08/17/india-flouts-un-resolutions-allows-its-citizens-to-vote-in-iiojk-assembly-polls.html
3 Prisoner martyred: Aug., 19, 2022: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir; the Indian police martyred a prisoner in a fake encounter in Jammu district. Indian police took a political prisoner Mohammad Ali Hussain from Kothbalwal Jail Jammu and brought him to Toph Arnia area and killed him in the staged encounter. This is the second extrajudicial killing of AJK prisoners as earlier one political prisoner , Zia Mustafa, from Rawalakot, was taken out of the Kothbalwal jail jammu and brought to forests in Poonch by the Indian troops and was subsequently killed in firing in October 2021. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/08/18/prisoner-martyred-by-indian-police-in-jammu.html
Kashmir Update, 194; Week (Aug 8,2022 to Aug 14, 2022)
1 Kashmiri Americans reject Indian occupation and demand self-determination ;Washington, D.C. August 5, 2022; In commemorating the third anniversary of abrogation of article 370 and 35A, the World Kashmir Awareness Forum (WKAF), exhibited painful message of human rights atrocities committed by 900,000 Indian occupation army in Jammu & Kashmir. These messages were carried on digital advertising trucks in Washington, DC across the federal buildings, foreign embassies, shopping centers and busy intersections. The demand displaced on the digital truck was simple that the United Nations intervention is must to stop genocide in Kashmir. The digital trucks carried the messages: “Hold India accountable for war crimes”; “Kashmir under siege: Knocking at world conscience”; “Stop Demographic terrorism in Kashmir”; “India stop state terrorism in Kashmir”; “India criminalizes press freedom in Kashmir”; “End Indian colonization in Kashmir”; “Implement UN resolution on Kashmir”; Indian: Allow international NGOs in Kashmir”; “Indian army out of Kashmir”, in order to crush any resistance to their illegal occupation, India has instituted new draconian measures. First, they unilaterally removed any relics of initial recognition of their occupation by abrogating Articles 370 and 35A of the Indian Constitution, imposed a total military lockdown and complete communication blockade in anticipation of the protest and resistance these measures would inevitably cause. In a ruthless campaign they imprisoned politicians, journalists, and civil society members, to intimidate and suppress any form of dissent. We stand in fierce opposition to India’s actions against the people of Kashmir, Dr. Mir added and condemn any restriction of free speech and expression throughout the region. World powers must stop the Indian government’s attack on free speech in the region and urge the Indian government community to ensure that rights activists, political leaders, and local journalists are allowed to work freely and without harassment. Our thoughts are with all political prisoners and their family during this unlawful arrest. “Right of free speech and free movement, particularly international travel is limited and, in some cases, completely denied. Kashmir is going through an untenable existential crisis and must be stopped by international intervention. Kashmiri political prisoners must be set free, and the reign of terror must be stopped. Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Secretary General, WKAF said that on August 5, 2019, the Government of India laid bare its naked ambition by brutally colonizing the state of Jammu and Kashmir. On that date, it threw away any pretense of acknowledging the Kashmiri’s right to self-determination as outlined by the United Nations’ Security Council resolutions and agreed to at that time by the Government of India 72 years earlier. Dr. Fai added that the events of August 5, 2019, are consistent with the ruthless occupation and suppression the people of Kashmir have suffered under the unpopular Indian rule. As is widely acknowledged and documented internationally, this brutal occupation has led to over 100,000 civilian deaths, more than 8000 individuals missing or disappeared, and thousands of Kashmiri women raped. This does not even begin to account for the tens of thousands tortured, maimed, and permanently injured men, women and children by the Indian security forces during their 72-year reign of terror. But despite this persistent and pernicious tyranny, Fai emphasized, the people of Kashmir never have, nor ever will give up their right to be free. It is based on this internationally recognized, and principled stand the Kashmiri diaspora and its allies worldwide stand in solidarity with the people of Jammu Kashmir. We stand in support of their unyielding struggle to resist occupation and achieve their right to self-determination. We stand with them in their struggle to stop the Indian government from dehumanizing them and completing their settler-colonial project to remove them culturally, politically, and ethnically from the face of the earth.
2
Human rights; Aug 8
2022; Human rights violations have shown a massive increase in Indian
illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) since August 5, 2019 when the
Modi-led fascist Indian government repealed Kashmir’s special status and
imposed military siege in the territory. As many as 663 innocent Kashmiris fell
to Indian bullets, 17993 people were arrested, 2278 injured, 1093 houses
destroyed and 125 women were molested by Indian troops since Aug 5, 2019 in
IIOJK, said a report released by the KMS, today. It said systematic human
rights violations are being continuously committed with impunity by Indian
troops in the occupied territory, adding that several global rights groups have
time and again raised alarm about the worsening rights situation. The report
said the Modi regime’s August 5, 2019 actions and thereafter is gross violation
of the United Nations Security Council resolutions. India has unleashed a reign
of terror against IIOJK’s Muslim population, it lamented. It deplored that the
Kashmiri youth were being killed in fake encounters and in so-called cordon and
search operations (CASOs) by Indian troops, adding that 96,095 Kashmiris had
been killed since January 1989 to July 2021 in IIOJK.
https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/08/07/hr-violations-show-massive-increase-in-iiojk-since-aug-5-2019.html
3 Two martyred; Aug 11 2022; Indian troops martyred two Kashmiri youth (Aug 10) near an Indian army camp in Pargal area in what appears to be another India ploy to implicate Kashmiri youth and create environment of fear with an aim of maligning freedom struggle and Pakistan. The fresh incident just ahead of Indian Independence Day celebrations seems to be another orchestrated drama for multiple purposes by the right-wing driven Bharatiya Janata Party government in India. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/08/11/ahead-of-independence-day-is-rajouri-attack-another-false-flag-operation-by-india-in-iiojk.html
Kashmir Update, 193; Week (Aug 1,2022 to Aug 8, 2022)
1 One martyred; Aug1 2022: In
Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in their fresh act
of state terrorism martyred one more Kashmiri youth in Baramulla district,
today(July 3) .The troops martyred the youth in a fake encounter in the garb of
a cordon and search operation in Binner area of the district.
https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/07/31/indian-troops-martyr-one-more-kashmiri-youth-in-baramulla.html
2
Human Rights Watch ; Aug 4 2022;Indian authorities
are restricting free expression, peaceful assembly, and other basic rights in
Jammu and Kashmir three years after revoking the region’s special autonomous
status, Human Rights Watch said today. The government’s repressive policies and
failure to investigate and prosecute alleged security force abuses have
increased insecurity among Kashmiris. On August 5, 2019, the Indian government,
promising security and reform, revoked the constitutional autonomy of Jammu and
Kashmir and split the state into two federally governed territories. The
government action was accompanied by serious rights violations including
arbitrary detention of hundreds of people, a total communications blackout, and
severe restrictions on freedom of movement and peaceful assembly. Since then,
the authorities have released many of the detainees and restored the internet,
but have intensified their crackdown on media and civil society groups,
including through frequent use of counterterrorism and public safety laws. “The
government needs to end the assault on fundamental freedoms and act to protect
minority groups at risk.”The authorities have invoked the Jammu and Kashmir
Public Safety Act, as well as terrorism allegations, to conduct raids and
arbitrarily detain journalists, activists, and political leaders without
evidence and meaningful judicial review. The authorities have also barred
several prominent Kashmiris from traveling abroad without providing reasons.
Since August 2019, militants have killed at least 118 civilians, including 21
people from minority Hindu and Sikh communities. In November 2021, the
authorities arrested a prominent Kashmiri human rights activist, Khurram
Parvez, on politically motivated charges under the abusive counterterrorism
law, the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). Parvez, 44, is the program
coordinator of the Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society and the chair
of the Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances. He has documented
cases of enforced disappearances and investigated unmarked graves in Kashmir,
and as a result, the Indian authorities have repeatedly targeted him for his
human rights work. United Nations human rights experts, calling for his
immediate release, expressed “regret that the Government continues to use the
UAPA as a means of coercion to restrict civil society’s, the media’s and human
rights defenders’ fundamental freedoms.”Journalists in Kashmir face increasing
harassment by security forces, including raids and arbitrary arrests on
terrorism charges. Authorities in India have shut down the internet more often
than anywhere else in the world. A majority of those shutdowns have been in
Kashmir, where they are used to curb protests and access to information. Since
August 2019, at least 35 journalists in Kashmir have faced police
interrogation, raids, threats, physical assault, restrictions on freedom of
movement, or fabricated criminal cases for their reporting. In June 2020, the
government announced a new media policy that made it easier for the authorities
to censor news in the region. In 2022, the authorities rearrested Fahad Shah,
Aasif Sultan, and Sajad Gul under the Public Safety Act after they had been
granted bail separately in other cases filed against them in retaliation for
their journalism work. Since 2019, the security forces have been implicated in
numerous abuses including routine harassment and ill-treatment at checkpoints,
arbitrary detention, and extrajudicial killings. In March 2021, five UN expert
mandates wrote to the Indian government seeking information about the detention
of a Kashmiri politician, Waheed Para; the alleged killing in custody of a
shopkeeper, Irfan Ahmad Dar; and the enforced disappearance of Naseer Ahmad
Wani, a resident of Shopian district. They raised concerns about “the
repressive measures and broader pattern of systematic infringements of
fundamental rights used against the local population, as well as of
intimidations, searches, and confiscations committed by national security
agents.”There has been no accountability for these recent alleged extrajudicial
killings or past killings and abuses by security forces, in part because of the
Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), which gives members of the armed
forces effective immunity from prosecution. Since the law came into force in
Jammu and Kashmir in 1990, the Indian government has not granted permission to
prosecute any security force personnel in civilian courts. Rights groups have
long documented that the law has become a tool of state abuse, oppression, and
discrimination, and called for its repeal. Affected residents, activists,
government-appointed committees, politicians, and UN human rights bodies have
also criticized the law . Instead of addressing human rights concerns, Indian
officials have sought to project the appearance of progress, Human Rights Watch
said. A year ago, the foreign minister said government policies in Kashmir have
led to real “democracy, development, good governance and empowerment.” In July,
during a visit to Kashmir, the home minister said that “a new era was
established in Kashmir,” and that it was on the “path of peace and
development.”“The security forces’ raids and targeted attacks by militants in
Kashmir are grim reminders of the unending cycle of violence linked to
repressive Indian government policies and the failure to bring abusive forces
to account,” Ganguly said. “The Indian authorities should ensure justice for
security force abuses and end policies that violate the fundamental rights of
Kashmiri people.” https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/08/02/india-repression-persists-jammu-and-kashmir
3
Chinese Scholar on
Kashmir; Aug 6 2022; Prominent Chinese Scholar, Cheng Xizhong, has said that the
international community should take strong and concerted actions to force India
to immediately reverse unilateral and all illegal actions it has taken in
Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir and fulfill its obligations under
the relevant UNSC resolutions. Cheng Xizhong, Visiting Professor of Southwest
University of Political Science and Law, in a statement in Beijing said the
Kashmir dispute is the core obstacle to the normalization of relations between
India and Pakistan and to peace and stability in the South Asian region. He
said, India changed the status of Kashmir on He said, India changed the
status of Kashmir on August 5, 2019, which further complicated the Kashmir
issue. Therefore, he said, the key to normalizing India-Pakistan relations was
for India to take the initiative to immediately restore the original status of
Kashmir, APP reported. Prof Cheng, who is also a senior fellow of the Charhar
Institute, maintained that the international community should take strong and
concerted actions, forcing India to immediately halt and reverse unilateral and
all illegal actions it has taken in IIOJK and fulfill its obligations under the
relevant UNSC resolutions. He suggested that first of all, the UNSC should pay
more close attention to India’s unilateral and illegal actions in IIOJK, which
were seriously endangering regional peace. Secondly, he said, because India has
seriously violated the fundamental human rights of the Kashmiri people, all
international human rights organizations should continue to put pressure on
India. “Thirdly, all countries responsible for world peace, especially big powers,
should impose the most severe sanctions on India, forcing the Narendra Modi
regime to rectify its evil ways with strong measures,” he said.“The Kashmiris
have the full right to decide their own destiny. The Kashmiris should have the
final say on the Kashmir issue. I firmly believe that the Kashmiri people who
have been fighting for national self-determination for decades will win the
final victory,” he added
https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/08/05/world-urged-to-force-india-to-reverse-its-aug-05-move-on-iiojk.html
4 One martyred; Aug 6 2022; In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in their fresh act of state terrorism, today(Aug5), martyred one Kashmiri youth in Kulgam district. The troops martyred the youth during a cordon and search operation in Redwani area of the district. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/08/05/indian-troops-martyr-one-kashmiri-youth-in-kulgam-5.html
Kashmir Update, 192; Week (Jul 25,2022 to Aug 2, 2022)
1 IOJ&K and Elections; July 29 2022; elections will not happen till the time the
ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) feels certain it will carry the day –
and be in a position to instal a non-Muslim chief minister to head the Union
territory. Indeed, if this were to happen, the UT may then be upgraded to the
status of a state.Contrarily, were such elections to produce an unlovely
surprise, J&K might then either continue to languish as a UT or be
reluctantly accorded the same sort of status as Delhi suffers, with an
all-powerful lieutenant governor overseeing the exertions of a minion
elected Underneath their phirans,
Kashmiris remain, like so many others in large parts of the republic, deeply
attached to their sense of history and to their identity. Indeed, in the Jammu
region, the ‘dynastic’ parties and the Congress are still a force to reckon
with. In the meanwhile, the local state executive will spare no moment to flash
images of great nationalistscomebacks of hitherto misled Kashmiri youth, be it
in the sports arena, recruitment drives to the forces, sponsored cultural
events, enthusing tourist-speak, and so forth. https://thewire.in/politics/with-kashmir-not-yet-a-safe-bet-yet-for-bjp-modi-may-prefer-to-drag-his-feet-over-assembly-polls
2 Yasin Malik : July 30 2022; World Kashmir Awareness Forum
(WKAF) Affirms Yasin Malik’s Commitment to Kashmiris’ National Self-determination
and liberation Hospitalization of Yasin Malik from Tihar Jail Solitary
Confinement: Inhumane Treatment of Kashmiri Prisoners Must End in Indian Jails The
World Kashmir Awareness Forum issued the following statement in response to the
hospitalization of the revered Kashmiri political leader and Chairman of the
Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front Muhammad Yasin Malik. “The news of Yasin Malik’s
admission to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital has set alarm bells ringing among
millions of his followers in Jammu and Kashmir and around the world. Mr. Malik
has been incarcerated in the Tihar jail number 7 in solitary confinement
serving life sentence on trumped up charges without a fair trial and proper
legal representation. He has been defiant throughout his kangaroo court trial
and decide to go on a hunger strike four days ago despite his chronic ill
health and physical and psychological torture inflicted by the authorities in
the jail. His frail health from decades of turmoil, torture and poor healthcare
has taken a huge toll on Mr. Malik. Kashmiris around the world deeply fear that
Indian authorities plan to seek the demise of all political and human rights
activists and leaders resisting illegal Indian occupation. They have a proven
track record of causing death of Kashmiri leaders by any means, including life
in prison just as is being contemplated in the case of Muhammad Yasin Malik.
Millions of his followers and people of conscience around the world are deeply
concerned about Mr. Malik’s critical health status.Kashmiris at home and the
global Kashmiri diaspora community appeal Ms. Michelle Bachelet, UN High
Commissioner on Human Rights; and Mr. Antonio Guterres, the Secretary General
of the United Nations to persuade Government of India to end the solitary
confinement, inhumane and cruel treatment, including physical and psychological
torture of Mr. Malik, which is share violation of the Article 5, 7 and 10 of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights
3 Destroying Property;
July 30 2022; Following
Israeli tactic, Modi’s Hindutva regime has started attaching properties of the
Kashmiris in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) to put
pressure on them to give up their legitimate struggle for internationally
recognized right to self-determination.In its latest drive to render the
Kashmiris homeless in their own homeland, the Modi-led fascist Indian
government has attached the houses of five more Kashmiris under draconian law
Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in Srinagar, said a report
released, today, by Kashmir Media Service.The report pointed out that Modi is
following in the footsteps of Israel that has been, for decades, demolishing
the houses of Palestinian people and snatching their ancestral lands to make
way for Jewish settlements in the occupied territory. It said attaching
properties of Kashmiris is sheer political vendetta on part of the Indian
regime and is meant to bully them into withdrawing their support to the freedom
movement.The report said that besides attaching Kashmiris’ properties on one
pretext or another, Indian troops are regularly destroying Kashmiris’ houses
during violent military operations. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/07/29/modi-regimes-policy-of-attaching-kashmiris-properties-sheer-political-vendetta.html
4
One martyred July
30 2022: In
Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in their fresh act
of state terrorism martyred one Kashmiri youth in Baramulla district, today. The
troops martyred the youth during a cordon and search operation (CASO) in
Wanigam Bala area of the district.
https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/07/30/indian-troops-martyr-one-kashmiri-youth-in-baramulla-2.html
5 Israel is an Apartheid State bySyed Ehtisham; July 31 2022; Over the last three years, IPSN has
consistently been involved in creating awareness about the conditions of the
Palestinian people and drawing people together in acts of solidarity with the
Palestinian people. IPSN has also advocated with the Government of India
against its close military ties with Israel arguing that by purchasing military
hardware from Israel, it supports a brutal military-industrial-complex in
Israel which enables it to oppress and subjugate the Palestinian people. A
recent investigative report by The New York Times revealed that NSO Groups’
Pegasus was part of a $2 billion defence deal signed by the Prime Minister
during his 2017 official visit to Israel. Israeli spyware technology is
developed by being systematically used against Palestinians. Spyware trade is per
se designed for repression, and Israel is at the centre of it because its
colonial and apartheid regime deploys it against a subjugated people. In
defence of the civil rights of Indian human rights activists, and in solidarity
with the resisting Palestinian people, we demand that our public resources are
not spent on surveillance technology bought from an apartheid regime. IPSN notes that the Israeli
government has adopted and practices a policy of separation the over the Palestinians
in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. IPSN follows the call of the UN independent
human rights expert who has noted that “apartheid is being practiced by
Israel in the occupied Palestinian territory”. IPSN agrees with the contention
of other human rights organizations including Amnesty International, Human
Rights Watch, B’Tselem, and others who have analyzed the 55-year occupation of
the Palestinian Territory. In different ways they have each underlined how, in
the Palestinian territory occupied by Israel since 1967, there exists
a deeply discriminatory dual legal and political system, that privileges the
700,000 Israeli Jewish settlers living in the 300 illegal Israeli settlements
in East Jerusalem and the West Bank. This was the assertion of the UN Special
Rapporteur for the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territory. His
report points to the absence of the “rights of people living in the same
vicinity, but separated by walls, checkpoints and roads”. Moreover, the Special
Rapporteur has observed that “there are more than three
million Palestinians living under an oppressive rule of institutional
discrimination and without a path to a genuine Palestinian state that the
world has long promised, which is their right”. This is also true of Gaza where
two million Palestinians live in Gaza, described in what is referred to as an
‘open-air prison’, without adequate access to power, water or health, with a
collapsing economy and with no ability to freely travel to the rest of
Palestine or the outside world. We affirm the internationally-understood legal definition of
apartheid – a system of institutionalized racial segregation. Israel falls
within the scope of this definition as a “political regime which so
intentionally and clearly prioritizes fundamental political, legal and social
rights to one group over another, within the same geographic unit on the basis
of one’s racial-national-ethnic identity”. This is nothing short of a Crime
against Humanity. The 1998 Rome Statute of the Icc is a forward-looking legal
instrument which prohibits apartheid as a crime against humanity today and into
the future, wherever it may exist. In opposition to this definition Israel
seeks to demographically foist a permanent, and illegal, Israeli sovereign
claim over occupied territory, while confining Palestinians in smaller and more
confined reserves of disconnected land, just as there were the Bantustans in
South Africa under the apartheid regime there.
IPSN regards the multiple barbaric
acts, arbitrary and extra-judicial killings, torture, the denial of fundamental
rights, an abysmal child mortality rate, collective punishment, an abusive
military court system, and home demolitions as signs of a cruel regime which
holds human rights in disregard. Israel’s annexation of occupied territory is
unlawful, its construction of hundreds of Jewish settlements is illegal, and
its denial of Palestinian self-determination breaches international law. Sadly, the international community
has failed in its duty to create a united rejection of Israel’s apartheid. IPSN commits itself to joining hands
with other networks in India to oppose Israel’s apartheid policies and
practices through several measures: Join the BDS-India Movement, INCACBI which is also a
Platform for Indian solidarity with the Palestinian Boycott, Divestment and
Sanctions (BDS) movement to be actively engaged in fighting against
economic-academic-cultural collaboration with Israel.; Bring Israeli apartheid to the
notice of the Indian Human Rights community by engaging in comparative studies
of discriminatory laws and practices in Israel which the Indian Government has
duplicated. (The practices of the Indian government against Muslim and
Christian minorities are virtually a copy-cat version of the way Israel
discriminates and brutalizes Palestinians);
Campaign against Indian
collaboration with Israel’s military-industrial complex, noting especially that
Israel is influencing the Indian government in its subjugation of the Kashmiri
people by applying near-identical policies as Israel does on the Palestinian
people. ;IPSN
will continue its work with inter-faith platforms including Muslim collectives,
Dalit and Adivasi groups and the Hindus for Human Rights through which it is
able to highlight the Question of Palestine.;
To seek a working dialogue with the
NCCI and Catholic institutions for a Christian response against apartheid in
Israel.
Kashmir Update, 191; Week (Jul 18,2022 to Jul 25, 2022)
1
Accession to Pakistan
Day ; July 20 2022;Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control while observing
July 19 as the Accession to Pakistan Day, today, said that the Kashmiri people
had decided to link their future with Islamic Republic of Pakistan even weeks
before its creation, on this day in 1947. On 19th July in 1947, genuine
representatives of the Kashmiris unanimously passed the resolution of Kashmir’s
accession to Pakistan during a meeting of the All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim
Conference at the residence of Sardar Muhammad Ibrahim Khan in Aabi Guzar area
of Srinagar.
https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/07/19/kashmirs-accession-to-pakistan-day-observed-today.html
2
Brainstorming session held in
Washington. Kashmir: What Next;Washington, D.C. July 20, 2022: World Kashmir
Awareness Forum (WKAF) organized a brainstorming session on Kashmir entitled
“Kashmir: What next.” The session was designed to identify the areas which need
to be of immediate focus for highlighting the human rights situation in Indian
occupied Kashmir. Dr. Ghulam N. Mir, . Emphasized the role of diaspora in highlighting and
bringing in focus the gross human rights abuse and denial of the right of
self-determination to the people of Kashmir. Dr. Mir added that WKAF is in the
process of gathering resources and momentum to confront the occupation and
atrocities in Kashmir. We are in the process of organizing the diaspora to
reach out to the US communities and our elected representatives. We will
continue to build alliances and forge solidarity with like-minded groups and
communities around the world until Kashmiris achieve their goal right to
self-determination. Dr. Pir Syed Ali Raza Bukhari, a parliamentarian from Azad
Kashmir and Chairman, International Sufi Peace Forum and the Chief Guest
emphasized that the peaceful resolution of longstanding Kashmir dispute will
guarantee durable peace and stability in the region of South Asia. It will also
pave the way for economic development of these nuclear countries who are
spending billions of dollars on defense. The people of India and Pakistan need
healthcare, education, clean water which is only possible once you create an
atmosphere of peace by giving the people of Jammu & Kashmir right to
self-determination. The issue of Kashmir is basic human rights issue, it is
also the issue of right of self-determination which was pledged to the people
of Kashmir by an agency no less important that the United Nations. Therefore,
we must knock the doors of all world forums as well as the United Nations to
urge them to fulfill their pledge and come out of their slumber . Dr. Ghulam
Nabi Fai, Secretary General of WKAF said that the most important and poignant
aspect of the situation in Kashmir is uncertainty, unpredictability, and
anxiety of unknown. Thousands have been brutally killed or cling to life in
hospitals, in jails, in secret torture cells. These Kashmiris are victims of a
reign of terror by India’s 900,000 strong military and paramilitary forces.
Yet, despite a faint murmur of protest in international circles and an
occasional repot in the world press, India has felt no pressure whatsoever to
desist from its semi-genocidal campaign. Dr. Fai drew the attention of the
audience to the statement made by President Biden on July 15, 2022, in Jedda,
Saudi Arabia, “I said, very straightforwardly, for an American president to be
silent on the issue of human rights is inconsistent with who we are and who I
am,” Biden continued. “I’ll always stand up for our values.” Does President
Biden also means Kashmir, Fai asked. Dr. Imtiaz Khan, Professor at George Washington
Medical Center said: The atrocities committed by alien and occupation army in
Indian occupied Kashmir are continuing in an unabated manner. Government of
India is implementing their nefarious plan which encompasses, land grab,
massacre of innocent civilians and deprivation of livelihood to the local
population. With total impunity occupation forces enter homes and find flimsy
excuses to target youth, demolish properties, confiscate valuables, and molest
woman folk. The fascist Indian regime will not dissuade from their iniquitous
activities unless international community will hold them accountable. Verbal
repudiation and cosmetic statements have failed to yield results in the past
and will do no good in the future.
Only severe sanctions like trade restrictions and economic blockade will be
effective in persuading India to come to negotiating table so that this
protracted problem which is endangering world peace can be resolved, Dr. Fai
emphasized. Imam Naeem Baig, Co-Chair, “National Muslim-Christian Initiative”
said that “In the US we have got some interfaith groups that are taking very
active role in social justice causes and are striving to end racial and
economic discrimination. There are interfaith groups that care for human rights
and religious freedom here in the US and also in the world. We must reach out
to such interfaith groups and seek their support for the people of Kashmir who
are prohibited from offering their prayers in the Mosques. This is a religious
freedom issue. Imam Naeem Baig added that there is a long history of human
rights abuses in the Indian occupied Kashmir. When people are forced to stay in
their homes and are not allowed to go to their businesses, schools, or places
of worship by the occupying forces so what hope is left for them to live. The
world has abandoned them. We must engage the American interfaith organizations
and seek their support for human rights and religious freedom of the people of
Kashmir” The Council visualizes, Noori
said, a society with justice, equality durable peace, universal brotherhood,
free of poverty, violence, equal opportunities for social and economic
empowerment to all citizens. Protection of child rights, human rights, and
Minority rights in Pakistan without any prejudice or bias to color, creed,
religion or caste. He said that Council is accredited with Economic and Social
Council (ECOSOC) and will be available at all international forums including
the United Nations to provide platform for the cause of the people of Jammu
Kashmir. Sardar Zarif Khan
3 FDI India; July 22 2022;The RBI remittances survey 2020-21 has revealed that the remittances from the Gulf countries to India have sharply declined. The cumulative inward remittances to India have plumed from 50 percent in 2016-17 to 30 percent in 2020-21. According to the RBI remittances survey 2020-21, the remittances to southern states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka have almost halved in 2020-21 when compared to what these states used to receive in 2016-17. India mostly receives remittances from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, etc. The UAE, which was the top source of remittances for Indians, is now in the second spot with the US taking the lead. It is being inferred that the job avenues for Indians are drying up in the gulf region. The southern states that have strong dominance in gulf countries and use to receive a significant share of the total remittances received by the entire country are most affected by the loss of jobs in the Gulf region.Kerala which used to be the top recipient of remittances from the Gulf region no longer holds the number one position. Currently, Maharashtra is on the top of the list of states that receive remittances. It is followed by Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Punjab, and Bihar. One of the reasons for the decline of remittances from the Gulf countries to the Southern states could be the migration of semi-skilled workers from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa, and West Bengal. They are being hired in the Gulf countries on much lesser salaries than the people from the Southern states. The US, the UK, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Australia have emerged as important sources of remittances for India. Among them the US tops the list whereas; the UAE is in the second spot. The cumulative remittances account for 36 percent of total India’s remittances. However, in overall terms, Indian remittances have gone down from 50 percent to 36 percent. The decline is due to the drying up of job opportunities for the Indians in the Gulf region. There are various reasons given for the loss of job opportunities for the Indians in the Gulf region. One of them that is prominently doing rounds is speculated to be the domestic policy of the BJP government which is loaded against the Muslim minority community of India. Soon after the breakout of the Pandemics in 2020, an Indian Muslim religious group Tablighi Jammat was hounded by the government and the people for spreading coronavirus in the country. This had led many countries in the Gulf region to raise their voice of concern against the persecution of Muslims going on in India. Many private organizations in the Gulf region had sent back Indians who were active on social media spreading hatred against Muslims while eking out their living from Muslim organizations in the Gulf region. Nupur Sharma’s intemperate remarks have further added salt to the injuries to the Muslims globally, and also to the countries in the Gulf region. The persistent support for her by many in India in the name of freedom of expression while putting in jail many human rights activists exposes the forces at work in India against the Muslim community. This is widely believed to be the reason why employers in the Gulf countries are reducing the size of employees from India. And this is reflected in the sharp decline in the remittances coming to India. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/07/21/inward-remittances-to-india-from-gulf-countries-on-a-sharp-decline.html
Kashmir Update, 190; Week (Jul 11,2022 to Jul 17, 2022)
1 Youth tortured to Death; July 11 2022; Grief-stricken
cries emanate from the corner window of a single-storied house in Srinagar’s
Natipora locality Inside the house, two women are trying to console Shafiqa, a
middle-aged woman in a black qameez with bright floral prints, who is crying
for her “groom” son to return home. “Where have you gone, my brave son? Come to
your mother. I will renounce this life only to get a glimpse of you, my
friend.” Fifty-three-year-old Shafiqa’s son, Muslim Muneer Lone, 21, was
detained by the Jammu and Kashmir Police on July 9 for his alleged involvement
in a theft case (FIR No 95/2022). A police team from the Nowgam police station
in Srinagar came to their house at around 9:30 am on Saturday, according to the
family. “A policeman (name withheld) told me that Muslim was being probed in a
case of theft and that they will set him free soon. Had I known that he was
going to get killed, I would have never let them In the afternoon, Shafiqa said the same
police team dropped in again. According to her, there were only male policemen
and they had come in a private car. “They told me that I have to come to the
police station because Muslim had lost consciousness. I felt terrified,” she
recalled, as a woman tucked loose strands of Shafiqa’s hair under a translucent
scarf covering her head. About 15 minutes into the journey, the car came to a
grinding halt, “The policeman asked me to shift to another vehicle which was
parked on the roadside. When I got into the car, I saw Muslim lying on the
middle seat. He couldn’t talk. They made me sign some papers and gave me Rs
400,” she said, loosening the knot at the corner of her scarf in which she had
kept the cash. Instead of going to a hospital or to the police station, the
policemen brought the woman and her son back to their residence. “They hauled
Muslim into a room with their hands. One of the cops asked us to switch on the
fan and open the curtains. Muslim was unresponsive but they told us that he had
lost consciousness,” Shafiqa said, showing a purported missed call that one of
the investigators allegedly made to his phone at 4:38 pm before leaving the
house.With the police team gone, Muslim’s condition showed no sign of
improvement. “When we checked him, he had lost his breath. I immediately put
him into my car and rushed him to a private hospital nearby where doctors
declared him brought dead,” Zeeshan, Muslim’s cousin, told The Wire.
Shocked by the turn of events, the aggrieved family, instead of returning home,
held a demonstration along with the dead body on the main road outside their
locality in Srinagar on Saturday night. Shouting anti-police and pro-Islam
slogans, the protesters alleged that Muslim was tortured in police custody
which led to his death. The demonstration continued till Saturday midnight. It
is not clear why a person in custody whose condition had deteriorated to the
point that he had lost consciousness was not rushed to the hospital for
treatment. “They are trying to cover up the crime,” alleged Zeeshan, Muslim’s
cousin. “Has the police ever caught him with drugs? There is no police case
against him anywhere in Kashmir. They are justifying his death by saying that
he was a drug addict. We demand an impartial probe.” At the aggrieved family’s
single-storied house, one of the neighbours told The Wire that Muslim’s
father, Muneer Ahmad Lone, who worked in the Srinagar Cantonment of the Army,
died some years ago after which the family slipped into poverty. “Muslim had
brought a load carrier recently with which he used to make some money and run
his family. With his death, the family has been destroyed,” said the neighbour,
requesting anonymity.“Only he (Muslim) knew what happened to him at the police
station. Had he got a breath of life, he could have told us when the police
brought him home. But he was dead already. He could not utter even a word,”
said Fancy, a relative of Muslim’s.
https://thewire.in/rights/kashmir-21-year-old-died-because-of-torture-in-police-custody-alleges-family
2
Youth tortured to
Death in custody; July 11 2022: In
Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian police arrested a youth in
Srinagar city and martyed him in custody.The youth was arrested from Natipora
area of the city and was later tortured and killed in custody. People staged a
sit-in protest along with the martyred body in the area and demanded justice. The
protesters shouted slogans like “We want freedom” and “We want justice. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/07/10/indian-police-martyred-youth-in-custody-in-srinagar.html
3
Two martyred; July
12, 2022: Indian troops in their fresh act of state terrorism martyred two
Kashmiri youth in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir on the second day
of Eidul Azha, today(July 11 According to Kashmir Media Service, the youth were
martyred by Indian troops during cordon and search operation in Wandakpora area
of Pulwama district.
https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/07/11/indian-troops-martyr-two-more-kashmiri-youth-in-pulwama.html
4 Martyrs’ Day; July 15 2022; Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control and the world over observed the Kashmir Martyrs’ Day, today, to reaffirm the pledge that they will continue their struggle till they achieve their inalienable right to self-determination. The day is observed every year on 13th of July in memory of the 22 Kashmiri martyrs who were shot dead by the troops of Dogra Maharaja on this day in 1931. They were part of thousands of people who had assembled outside Central Jail, Srinagar, during the court proceedings against one Abdul Qadeer who had asked the Kashmiris to defy the Dogra rule. At the time of Namaz-e-Zuhr, a young man started Azaan and was killed by the Dogra soldiers. Another took his place and he was also martyred by the troops. Thus, 22 youth sacrificed their lives till the completion of Azaan. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/07/13/kashmiris-observe-martyrs-day-2.html
Kashmir Update, 189; Week (Jul 4,2022 to Jul 10, 2022)
1 Economic boycott; July 5 2022;
Abdullah Ahmed Safar Ibil told IQNA in an interview that countries need
economic growth, which is very important to governments. Unless India ends
discriminating against Muslims and allowing desecration of Islamic sanctities, Muslim countries should impose
sanctions on New Delhi, he said. We have seen many videos of how Indian police
brutally attack Muslim protesters, which is a sign of oppression of Muslim in
the country. In order to confront this, we should take economic moves. Many
times such acts of desecration are aimed at seeing how Muslims react. If there
is a strong reaction, they won’t get bolder (to do more desecrations). Actually, Muslim countries have important ties with
India and some 15 percent of India’s trade is with the Persian Gulf countries.
There are also around ten million Indian nationals working in the Persian Gulf
littoral states. If Muslim and Arab countries take a strong stance, it would
make India reconsider its behavior. When a country oppresses Muslims, like what
happened in Myanmar, that country should be boycotted so that it is forced to
change its behavior. Economic boycott can be among the most powerful tools to
make countries stop their oppression of defenseless Muslims.
https://iqna.ir/en/news/3479558/economic-boycott-would-make-india-regret-insulting-islam-kuwaiti-scholar-says
2
One martyred;
July 0 2022; In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in
their fresh act of state terrorism, martyred one Kashmiri youth in Kupwara
district, today (July8). The troops martyred the youth during a search
operation in Tangdhar area of the district. Meanwhile, an Indian army soldier
was also killed in an attack in the same area. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/07/08/indian-troops-martyr-one-youth-in-iiojk-3.html
3
Remembering Sardar Qayyum Khan: a
man with a vision; July 10
2022; by Dr.
Ghulam Nabi Fai; Today, we
commemorate the seventh death anniversary of Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan Sahib,
former Prime Minister and former President of Azad Kashmir who passed away on
July 10, 2015. “Sardar Qayyum Khan Sahib was a fascinating personality, and
recognizable leader with wisdom, sharpness, and foresight. He was a preeminent
politician of Azad Jammu Kashmir who rendered his services for upholding the
human and political rights of the people of the State. His advocacy of the
cause of Kashmir at the corridors of power at international capitols have had a
lasting impact on the policy makers, where he used to make a persuasive and
convincing case for the resolution of Kashmir dispute. I remember a
conversation between Sardar Sahib and Professor Rajmohan Gandhi (the grandson
of Mahatma Gandhi) on July 24, 2003, in Washington. Professor Rajmohan Gandhi
said that India and Pakistan together with Kashmiris could have decided among
themselves a plan to resolve the Kashmir problem and implemented it. Sardar
Sahib agreed with Professor Gandhi that the chapter would have closed down and
bilateralism might have worked. But Sardar Sahib added that since bilateralism
has failed and that gave rise to multilateralism or internationalism as one
would like to call it, now we have no choice but to pursue that option too. He
was a courageous leader who understood the long road ahead of laboring for the
minds and hearts of people when he told us in Washington in 1994 that our top
priority should be to make sure that the leadership of the State of Jammu &
Kashmir is at one page. He was a man with a vision. When asked by Amr Mousaa,
then the foreign minister of Egypt during the Islamic Summit in Tehran in 1997,
‘who will represent Kashmiris if they are giving a seat at the negotiating
table’? “The answer is simple. All Parties Hurriyet Conference will be our sole
representative in any dialogue between India and Kashmir,” Sardar Sahib
replied. When Azzedine Laraki, then the Secretary General of Organization of
Islamic Cooperation (OIC) asked Sardar Sahib that he would be speaking during
the Islamic Summit in Tehran on behalf of the people of Jammu & Kashmir,
Sardar Sahib suggested that Ghulam Muhammad Safi, the Convener of APHC has the
mandate to represent the people of Jammu & Kashmir and Safi Sahib was the
one who spoke before the 56 Heads of State and Government in Tehran. The
session was chaired by none other than Yasir Arafat, Chairman of PLO. By far
the most vivid recollection I have of Sardar Sahib was his response to a
question asked at Washington Kashmir Peace conference about Line of Control
(LoC). Sardar Sahib responded, “I, as a Kashmiri, don’t recognize the control
line. Kashmiris on both sides do not recognize it. We have not been a party to
it. We were not signatories to it. We still call it the ceasefire line and
there is fighting there which keeps the issue very much not only alive but
makes it dangerous as well.” The participants were fascinated by his response.
Sardar Sahib was always against the option of maintaining the status quo. “Let
me say that if stability and peace in the region is of any importance then it
is inconceivable without resolving the Kashmir issue peacefully. Status quo
would be no solution if someone thinks so and let me also say that we in India
and Pakistan have tried our best to set things return to peace. But failed. So,
the sooner the solution is found, the better as a way forward for Kashmir,”
Sardar Sahib explained. Sardar Sahib was always in favor of including Kashmiris
in the negotiations. He asked, “I really do not understand why Kashmiris are
neglected, why they are not given an opportunity to meet freely and to interact
freely so that they can become the bridge between New Delhi and Islamabad. When
asked: how to bring normalcy to Kashmir? Sardar Sahib responded, “I am not sure
that there can be normalcy without addressing the core issue of Kashmir. A
delay in addressing the issue has further added to the gravity of the
situation. Now is the time to avoid mental or intellectual luxury. We have had
enough of it.” Sardar Sahib was a giant among Kashmiri politicians. We will miss
him a lot Dr. Fai can be reached at: 1-202-607-6435. Or gnfai2003@yahoo.com
Kashmir Update, 188; Week (Jun 27,2022 to Jul 3, 2022)
1 #SystematicUseOfTortureInIIOJK, June ,27, 2022: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, India is using physical, mental and psychological torture at a large scale as a tool to prolong its illegal hold on Kashmir and to suppress the Kashmiris’ struggle for right to self-determination. A report released by the Research Section of Kashmir Media Service on the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, today, revealed that Indian troops during their unabated acts of state terrorism martyred 96,079 Kashmiris including 7,242 in custody and fake encounters since January 1989 till date. The report said that Indian troops and police personnel arrested 164,906 Kashmiris, including women and children, during crackdowns and military operations since 1989 till date. “These arrested people were physically and mentally tortured by the Indian army, paramilitary and police personnel in different interrogation centers, police stations and jails. The use of torture by the troops has been widespread and indiscriminate in occupied Jammu and Kashmir,” it said. It said 96,622 Kashmiris, including men, women and children, have been injured due to the firing of bullets, pellets, teargas shells and systematic use of torture by Indian troops and police personnel on the people in IIOJK since 2000. It said hundreds of persons, including 19-month-old Hiba Jan, 8-year-old Shahid Fayaz, 9-year-old Owais Ahmed, Asif Ahmed Sheikh,10, Aaqib Zahoor, 16, Ulfat Hameed, 17), Bilal Ahmed Butt. 17), Insha Mushtaq, 18, Tariq Ahmed Gojri,19, Faizan Ashraf Tantray, 19, Nadeem, 15, Sahil Hameed Butt, Ifra, Shabroza, Parvez Ahmed, 20, Danish Rajab, 24, Shakeela, 30, Zahid Nisar, 14, Yawar Yousuf, Qisar Ahmed and Arif Ahmed Wagay, 22, have lost their eyesight in one or both eyes due to pellet injuries. The report said Indian Army and police have established scores of torture centres in occupied Kashmir where innocent Kashmiris are subjected to various kinds of brutal methods to extract information and confessional statements from them. “Cargo, Harinivas, Papa-1 and Papa-II, and Humhama and police stations are the most notorious interrogation centres where thousands of Kashmiris lost their lives due to severe torture during interrogation. Even top APHC leader, Muhammad Ashraf Sehrai, died in custody, while prominent liberation leader, Muhammad Maqbool Butt and Muhammad Afzal Guru, were hanged to death on the basis of a confessional statement and fake cases which was extracted on the basis of torture during custody,” it added. The report said that thousands of Hurriyat leaders, activists, politicians and journalists including APHC Chairman, Masarrat Aalam Butt, , Shabbir Ahmed Shah, Muhammad Yasin Malik, Aasiya Andrabi, Nayeem Ahmed Khan, Fehmeeda Sofi, Naheeda Nasreen, Altaf Ahmed Shah, Ayaz Muhammad Akbar, Ghulam Ahmad Gulzar, Peer Saifullah, Raja Merajuddin Kalwal, Shahid-ul-Islam, Farooq Ahmed Dar, Dr Muhammad Qasim Fakhtoo, Mushtaqul Islam, Muhammad Yousuf Mir, Muhammad Yusuf Falahi, Muhammad Rafiq Ganai,Hayat Ahmed Butt, Syed Shahid Yousuf, Syed Shakeel Yousuf, Ghulam Qadir Butt, Dr Muhammad Shafi Shariati, human rights defender, Khuram Parviaz, Muhammad Ahsan Untoo, journalist, Aasif Sultan, Fahad Shah and others remain lodged in different jails of IIOJK and India under black laws, Public Safety Act and Unlawful Activities (prevention) Act (UAPA) in fake cases registered against them to suppress the Kashmiris’ ongoing right to self-determination demand. The report pointed out that the life of the people of occupied Kashmir has become a living hell since August 05, 2019, when the Narendra Modi-led fascist government repealed the special status of IIOJK by violating international laws and placed it under military siege. “Occupied Kashmir has been turned into the world’s largest prison and military state by India,” it said. The report said, India is carrying out the genocide of Kashmiris for the past over seven decades and the killing spree witnessed a massive surge since August 05, 2019. Kashmiri youth are picked up from their homes, killed in fake encounters and buried at unknown locations, it said. The report said that India should allow unconditional access to international human rights organizations to IIOJK to assess the prevailing human rights situation in the territory. New Delhi should also ratify the UN Convention against Torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment, it said. The report maintained that despite facing India’s worst kind of torture and nefarious tactics, Kashmiris are determined to take their freedom movement to its logical conclusion. It said that the world community, particularly the UN must take cognizance of New Delhi’s brutal actions in IIOJK and come forward in a big way to save the Kashmiris from the Indian atrocity https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/06/26/india-using-torture-as-tool-to-suppress-kashmiris-struggle-in-iiojk.html
2
Two martyred; June 28
2022: Indian troops in their fresh act of state terrorism martyred two
Kashmiri youth in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, today(June 27).The
youth were martyred by Indian troops and paramilitary forces during a cordon
and search operation at Trubji area of Kulgam district.
https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/06/27/indian-troops-martyr-one-kashmiri-youth-in-kulgam-4.html
3
Two martyred; June 29
2022: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in
their fresh act of state terrorism martyred two Kashmiri youth in North
Kashmir’s Kupwara district, today (June 28). The troops martyred the youth in a
fake encounter in Keran area of the district. Locals told the media that the
troops picked up the youth from their homes and later killed them in a staged
encounter.
https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/06/28/indian-troops-martyr-2-kashmiri-youth-in-kupwara.html
4 China opposes G20 meeting in IO&K: June2 2022; China has voiced its opposition to India’s reported plans to hold the next year’s meeting of G-20 leaders in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), echoing Pakistan’s objection, and underlined that relevant sides should avoid “unilateral moves” that may “complicate” the situation. “We have noted this latest development,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian told a media briefing in Beijing while replying to a question. “China’s position on the Kashmir issue is consistent and clear-cut. The Kashmir issue, a dispute left from the past, should be peacefully and properly addressed in accordance with the UN Charter, Security Council resolutions and bilateral agreement,” Zhao said. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/07/01/china-opposes-indian-plans-to-hold-g-20-meeting-in-iiojk.html
Kashmir Update, 187; Week (Jun 20,2022 to Jun 26, 2022)
1
Four martyred; June
20, 2022: Indian troops in their fresh acts of state terrorism martyred
four Kashmiri youth in two different areas of Indian illegally occupied Jammu
and Kashmir, today(June 19). The troops martyred two youth during a cordon and
search operation in Lolab area of Kupwara district. In another operation later,
the troops martyred two more youth in D.H Pora area of Kulgam District. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/06/19/indian-troops-martyr-four-more-youth-in-iiojk-3.html
2
Three martyred; June
21 2022: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in
their fresh act of state terrorism, martyred three more Kashmiri youth in the
territory, today(June20). One of the
two youth martyred by Indian troops and paramilitary forces in the garb of a
so-called cordon and search operation in Lolab area of Kupwara district was
already in the custody of Indian army. He was brought to the operation site and
shot dead by the troops in a fake encounter. A
third youth was martyred by the troops during a cordon and search operation at
Chatapora area of Pulwama district. Pertinently, the death toll of martyrs,
killed by Indian troops during cordon and search operation reached to seven
during past 24 hours in the Kashmir valley.
https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/06/20/indian-troops-martyr-one-more-kashmiri-youth-in-iiojk-2.html
3
Four martyred; June 22 2022: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in
their fresh acts of state terrorism martyred four more Kashmiri youth in
Baramulla and Pulwama districts, today (June 21). Two youth were martyred by
the troops and paramilitary forces during a continued cordon and search
operation in Tujan area of Pulwama district. Another two were martyred by the
troops in Tulibal area of Sopore town in Baramulla district.
https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/06/21/indian-troops-martyr-two-more-kashmiri-youth-in-iiojk-2.html
4
Schools closed; June
23, 2022: The Indian government’s attempts to keep the Kashmiri youth away
from getting quality education is inviting condemnation from around the world
as a British lawmaker said she will seek intervention from the UK government to
help end illegal ban on schools run by Falah-e-Aam Trust (FAT) in Indian
illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). A British parliamentarian Jess
Phillips talking to Kashmiri diaspora outside the UK Prime Minister’s Office in
London said, “I am hearing concerning reports of forced school closures in
Indian occupied Kashmir.” “The children of IIOJK must be educated,” she added. She
was responding to reports of illegal closure of FAT schools by the Indian
military regime in IIOJK. The fascist Indian military regime in the territory
has closed all FAT schools where over 60,000 students from modest backgrounds
attained quality education. Besides, over 4,000 people are directly or
indirectly employed by the FAT schools. The British lawmaker Jess Phillips said
education is a basic right of every human being.
https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/06/23/indias-illegal-ban-on-falah-e-aam-schools-invites-global-condemnation.html
5 International Widows Day and Kashmir; June 23, 2022: As the world is observing the International Widows Day, today, Kashmiri women continue to suffer at the hands of Indian troops, police and dreaded agencies in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). According to a report released by the Research Section of Kashmir Media Service on the occasion of the International Widows Day, today, the unabated Indian state terrorism rendered 22,944 women widowed since January 1989 till date as their husbands were martyred by Indian troops and police personnel. It said around 2500 women have been forced to live as half widows during the past 34. The women whose husbands were subjected to custodial disappearance after arrest by Indian army and police are referred to as half widows. According to the Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons and other human rights groups in IIOJK, between 8,000 to 10,000 men have disappeared in the custody of Indian troops and police personnel since 1989, it said. For years, half widows in IIOJK have been running from one Indian army and paramilitary camps to another trying to find whereabouts of their husbands, it added. The report maintained that 681 women have been martyred by the troops and paramilitary forces since January 2001 till date. It pointed out that womenfolk constitutes the majority of the Kashmiris suffering from multiple psychic problems. “Due to unending agony, Kashmiri widows, half widows are suffering from psychological problems. As per a study, women comprise more than 60% of psychiatric patients in IIOJK,” it added. The report said the Kashmiri women are targeted for raising their voice against Indian brutalities. Dozens of women including Aasiya Andrabi, Fehmeeda Sofi, Naheeda Nasreen and others are languishing in different jails of India and IIOJK for their affiliation with the ongoing right to self determination movement, it said. The report underscored that the International Widows Day is a reminder for the world to realize the plight of Kashmiri widows and half-widows. #PlightOfWidowsOfKashmirConflict https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/06/23/22944-women-widowed-in-kashmir-since-1989.html
Kashmir Update, 186; Week (Jun 13,2022 to Jun 19, 2022)
1 Four martyred; June 13, 2022: Indian
troops in their fresh acts of state terrorism martyred four Kashmiri youth in
Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (June 12) .The troops martyred
three youth during a cordon and search operation (CASO) in Drabgam area of
Pulwama district. Another youth Adil Parray was martyred by the troops in
Kreesbal Palpora area of Srinagar district on Sunday.
https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/06/12/indian-troops-martyr-three-kashmiri-youth-in-iiojk.html
2
Two martyred; June
15, 2022: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in
their fresh act of state terrorism, martyred two more Kashmiri youth in
Srinagar district, today (June 14). The youth were martyred by troops and
paramilitary forces during a cordon and search operation (CASO) in Bemina area
of the district.
https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/06/14/indian-troops-martyr-two-more-youth-in-iiojk-4.html
3 Two martyred; June 16, 2022: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in their fresh act of state terrorism martyred two more Kashmiri youth in Shopian district, today(une15). According to Kashmir Media Service, the troops martyred the youth during a cordon and search operation in Kanjikullar area of the district. The troops sealed all entry and exit points of the area, restricting the movement of the residents. They also did not allow the media persons to enter the area. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/06/15/indian-troops-martyr-two-kashmiri-youth-in-shopian-2.html
Kashmir Update, 185; Week (Jun 6,2022 to Jun 12 2022)
1 Chinese Professor; June 05, 2022: Another 10 innocent Kashmiri youths were
brutally killed by the Indian occupation forces, which is clearly another
evidence of state terrorism committed by the Indian authorities, Cheng Xizhong,
Visiting Professor of Southwest University of Political Science and Law, said.
Cheng Xizhong in a statement issued in Beijing said the Indian authorities have
been using state terrorism to exercise bloody rule over Indian illegally
occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and therefore, the international community
should unanimously condemn it. Professor Cheng, who is also Senior Fellow of
the Charhar Institute, opined that nowadays the entire international community
has expressed its opposition to terrorism in all its forms. This should include
terrorist acts committed by various terrorist organizations, as well as the
state form of terrorism. Moreover, according to the professor, “proxy war”
carried out by the regional power using terrorist organizations should also be
categorized as an act of terror. He further castigated India for not only
implementing state terrorism, but also using terrorist organizations to carry
out “proxy war”. India’s state terrorism has seriously violated the fundamental
human rights of the Kashmiri people and seriously undermined regional peace and
stability. The international community should attach great importance to it and
take resolute measures to stop it, he added. The inhuman acts of terror in the
IIOJK have exposed the extremist and terrorist face of Hindutva of the Narendra
Modi regime and India will not succeed in suppressing Kashmiri struggle for the
right to self-determination with such atrocious tactics. The just cause of the
Kashmiri people will win the final victory, he firmly believes.
https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/06/05/killing-of-kashmiri-youth-another-evidence-of-indian-terrorism-prof-cheng.html
2
Four martyred; June
07, 2022: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in
their fresh act of state terrorism martyred four more Kashmiri youth in Kupwara
and Baramulla districts. The troops martyred two youth during a cordon and
search operation (CASO) in Kandi area of Kupwara district. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/06/07/indian-troops-martyr-two-more-youth-in-iiojk-2.html
3 Two martyred; June 12, 2022: Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in their fresh acts of state terrorism martyr two more youth in Pulwama and Kulgam districts, today. The troops martyred one youth each in Drabgam area of Pulwama and Khandipora area of Kulgam during cordon and search operations. The authorities also suspended internet service in the areas and the operations were going on till last reports came in. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/06/11/indian-troops-martyr-two-more-youth-in-iiojk-3.html
Kashmir Update, 184; Week (May 30,2022 to Jun 5 2022)
1 Rape condoned; May 30 2022: Justice
continues to elude families of Shopian double rape and murder victims despite
the passage of thirteen years. Aasiya and Nelofar were abducted, raped and
subsequently killed by the men in uniform in Shopian and their bodies were
found on 30th May, 2009, said a report released by the KMS, today. It said the
Shopian double rape and murder is a chilling example of Indian troops’ brutalities
in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and the incident is
witness to institutionalized and structured violence that India is using in the
territory.
https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/05/29/13-years-on-justice-continues-to-elude-families-of-shopian-double-rape-and-murder-victims.html
2
Two martyred; Jun 1
2022: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in
their fresh act of state terrorism martyred two more Kashmiri youth in Pulwama
district, today (May 31). The troops
martyred the youth during a cordon and search operation in Rajpora area of the
district. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/05/31/indian-troops-martyr-two-more-kashmiri-youth-in-iiojk.html
3 Yasin Malik: The most
recognizable leader of Kashmir: WKAF:Statement made by World Kashmir Awareness forum:Washington, DC. June
4, 2022: On Wednesday, May 25, 2022 one of the most influential, recognizable, and
revered political leaders of Kashmir Mohammad Yasin Malik, Chairman Jammu
Kashmir Liberation Front, was sentenced to life imprisonment by an Indian
court. His Crime? He wanted Independence for his beloved homeland from India.
He wanted India to honor the pledge she gave to the world community and to the
United Nations that the people of Jammu & Kashmir shall have the right to
self-determination to determine their future and destiny. Fondly called Yasin
Sahib by his ‘people’, he was born in Kashmir in 1966 and attended the local
school and college. He had political and leadership tendencies from an early
age. During his teenage years, the National Conference had become the
predominant party after the Indian Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, and Shaikh
Mohammad Abdullah signed an ‘Accord’ earlier in 1975 that went entirely against
the aspirations of the people. Violence by the Indian army and paramilitary
forces against innocent, unarmed civilians who were unable to express their
opposition to the official policies agitated Malik. He rebelled against this
oppression and assembled a group of like-minded youth that subscribed to his
ideology and named it Tala Party. In 1983, he tried to disrupt an international
cricket match between West Indies and India that was played in the stadium in
Srinagar (Capital of Kashmir). All Kashmiri spectators were rooting for West
Indies to the delight of the visiting team and to the dismay of the Indian team
and Indian authorities. (Incidentally, India has never again held an
international sports event in Kashmir since). Malik’s group organized protests
in Kashmir on the first anniversary of the hanging of Kashmiri freedom struggle
leader, Maqbool Bhat, who was hanged on 11 February 1984 in Tihar Jail in
Delhi. He also took a public stand in 1985 against the candidates fielded by
the National Conference for elections. He was roughed up and hospitalized. Soon
thereafter, he was arrested and sent to ‘Red 16’ interrogation center for three
months. This was his first experience with prison with physical torture at the
hands of Indian authorities. The experience led him to transform the Tala party
into the Islamic Student League (ISL). It attracted who’s who in the Kashmir
youth movement, including Ashfaq Majeed Wani, Javaid Mir, Shakeel Bakshi, Ajaz
Dar, Mehmood Sagar, Firdous Shah, Mushtaq Ul Islam, and scores of other
well-recognized names in Kashmir. And, very quickly, ISL represented the street
power across Kashmir. Election and politics became preoccupation of Mr. Malik.
“It was unimaginable to take out an anti-National Conference (NC) rally in
Srinagar then,” relates Yasin Malik in his interview with Saima Bhat of Kashmir
Life in 2016. ISL and Muslim United Front (MUF) worked closely while the latter
fielded candidates across the Valley of Kashmir against the NC candidates for
the 1987 State Assembly elections. ISL did not field any candidate for the
election since it did not agree to election under the Indian constitution. It
did, however, actively campaigned for the MUF in all constituencies in
Srinagar. Apparently, Amira Kadal was the most fiercely contested constituency
between the National Conference and MUF candidates. The polling was reportedly
brisk. For two days counting continued for the Amira Kadal constituency at the
Government Medical college hostel in Bemina, Srinagar. Malik, in his interview
referenced above, said “When we went there, we saw agents were tampering [with]
votes. SSP Gill [in charge of the station] was there, I asked him what was
going around to which he replied ‘you are most wanted and I don’t want you to
be arrested here’.” Shortly thereafter, police raided their office and arrested
most of the MUF leadership. Malik, along with Ashfaq and Javaid, jumped out of
the window to avoid arrest. It is universally accepted that the Indian
machinery grossly rigged the 1987 elections to install the puppet Farooq
Abdullah Government in Kashmir. There was a hue and cry across the Valley but
who would listen? That became the catalyst for a number of Kashmiris, including
Malik and his close associates to start an uprising against the Indian
occupation. Armed revolt against the illegal Indian occupation then erupted in
1988. Malik picked up the gun against Indian rule. He was wounded and captured
in a battle in August 1990. In media interviews, he has maintained that
he was driven to “armed struggle” because the Indian state did not allow any
space for non-violent protests. And, in his interview with BBC in 2001, Malik
said: “When people look at Yasin Malik, they have to look at three Yasin
Malik’s — one from ‘84 to 88 [student activist], second from 88 till 1994
[militant], and third from ‘94 till onward [Gandhian]”. In the same interview,
he mentioned, “The matter is simple, there are cases against me pending in
court, but now 11 years have passed and Government of India has not even
started the trial,” He renounced violence in 1994 .He has been imprisoned
regularly ever since. The more recent Indian onslaught came when Mohammad Yasin
Malik, late Syed Ali Shah Geelani, and Mirwaiz Omar Farooq announced the
formation of Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) in 2016. JRL’s “hartals” were
effective and followed across all stripes of public opinion. But it also
brought on the wrath of the Indian army and paramilitary forces. In 2019 Jammu
Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) headed by Malik was banned and he was arrested.
The Indian National Investigation Agency (NIA) accused Malik and several others
of receiving funding from Pakistan to finance acts of terrorism, including
stone-pelting. What happened inside the court – no one knows for sure. There
was no open trial. Almost 50 anonymous witnesses, some with code names of
‘Jack’, ‘John’ and ‘Alpha’, were apparently presented in the opaque court. At
the trial, Malik protested the charges against him and insisted that he was a
freedom fighter. As reported by Associated Press, Malik stated that
“Terrorism-related charges leveled against me are concocted, fabricated and
politically motivated.” AP further reported that Malik told the judge,
“If seeking Azadi (freedom) is a crime, then I am ready to accept this crime
and its consequences.” Mushaal Hussein Mullick, Yasin Maliks’s wife, wrote on
her Twitter account “Verdict in minutes by Indian kangaroo court,” “The iconic
leader will never surrender.” The sentencing of Yasin Malik by the Indian
kangaroo court is not surprising for the people of Kashmir. These are the same
courts that committed judicial murder of Kashmiri freedom fighters like Maqbool
Bhat and Afzal Guru in the Indian capital’s Tihar Jail. In the case of Guru,
the Chief justice of the highest court in India admitted that evidence was
circumstantial, but the sentence was upheld to satisfy the collective
conscience in the society. Mumbai, India based FirstPost reported on February
26, 2016 that “Afzal Guru, executed in 2013 for his role in the terror attack
on Parliament, is at the centre of a political storm after protests in
universities across the country. Those opposed to the death sentence handed out
to him have termed it as a 'judicial killing' and said that it was carried out
merely to satisfy a questionable 'collective conscience.” Although
Yasin Malik has been given the inhumane and cruel sentence for life, worse may
be on the cards, given India’s previous record in Kashmir. The point to be
noted is that Yasin Sahib in late was involved in peaceful negotiations with
Indian leaders at their invitation and reassurance for a peaceful dialogue at
the highest level, including the then Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh? No
Indian administration has ever been worthy of trust in its dialogues with Kashmiris
or its neighboring countries. The plan and intentions of the current fascist
regime are even more sinister. The International community must take cognizance
of that historical behavior of India. By eliminating peace-loving leaders like
Yasin Malik, the Indian regime is closing any avenues of peace in the region
and pushing the youth of Kashmir towards actions that can be detrimental to the
peaceful resolution of Kashmir conflict. We appeal to the United Nations and
other world organizations to shed their protracted silence and earnestly
impress upon the Indian government to let international standards of justice
prevail and free Mohammad Yasin Malik.
4
Kashmiri
children:; Jun 5, 2022:In Indian illegally
occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in their unabated acts of state
terrorism have martyred 910 children during the last 33 years. A
report released by the Research Section of Kashmir Media Service on the
occasion of the International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression,
today (June 04), revealed that 910 children were among the 96,054 Kashmiris
martyred by Indian troops from January 01, 1989 till date. The report said that
the killing of civilians by the troops rendered 107,860 children orphaned in
the territory during the period. The report said that thousands of people
including school boys and girls were also injured by the pellets, bullets and
teargas shells fired by Indian troops, police and paramilitary forces. It added
that hundreds of persons including 19-month-old Hiba Jan, 8-year-old Shahid
Fayaz, 9-year-old Owais Ahmed, 10-year-old Aasif Ahmed Sheikh, Insha Mushtaq
(16), Aaqib Zahoor (16), Ulfat Hameed (17), Bilal Ahmad Butt (17), Tariq Ahmed
Gojri (19) and Faizan Ashraf Tantray (19) had lost eyesight in their one or
both eyes totally due to the pellet injuries. The report added that hundreds of
boys as well as girls aged below 19 have been martyred during cordon and search
operations and fake encounters, while a large number of boys under the age of
19 are facing illegal detentions under black laws in different jails of IIOJK
and India. Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Political Movement (DPM) in
a statement in Srinagar said while the International Day of Innocent Children
Victims of Aggression is being observed around the world, today, a large number
of minors are being abused and mistreated by Indian troops in IIOJK. It called
upon the United Nations, human rights and child protection organizations to
come forward and save the Kashmiri children from the Indian violence. Indian
troops not only arrest innocent children but also use them as a weapon of war,
it said. The world community must also play its role in resolving the Kashmir
dispute according to the United Nations resolutions and aspirations of the
Kashmiri people, it added. On the other hand, Pasban-e-Hurriyat Chairman, Uzair
Ahmad Ghazali, in a statement in Muzaffarabad said Indian troops have orphaned
over 107,690 children in the last three decades whose parents have been
brutally martyred in fake encounters and in prisons. He said that violence,
cruelties and brutalities against Kashmiri children had been a well-thought-out
plan of the Indian government which was being carried out by the personnel of
the Indian forces. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/06/04/children-worst-victims-of-indian-state-terrorism-in-iiojk-2.html
Kashmir Update, 183; Week (May 23,2022 to May 29 2022)
1 Three martyred May 26 2022: In
Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in their fresh act
of state terrorism martyred three Kashmiri youth in Kupwara district, today.
The youth were martyred by troops during a violent cordon and search operation
in Jumagund area of the district,
https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/05/26/indian-troops-martyr-three-youth-in-iiojk-3.html
2
Two martyred :May 28
2022: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in
their fresh act of state terrorism martyred two youth in Pulwama district (May
27), raising the number of slain youth in the territory to five since
yesterday. The troops martyred the youth during a cordon and search operation
at Aganhanzipora in Awantipora area of the district. They are identified as Shahid Mushtaq Bhat and Farhan
Habib. Earlier, the troops martyred three youth during a similar
operation at Jumagund in Kupwara district, today.Three other youth were
martyred by the troops in a violent military operation in Pattan area of
Baramulla district, yesterday.
https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/05/27/indian-troops-martyr-two-more-youth-in-iiojk-2.html
3 TTP; May 29,
2022: A new United Nations report has once
again highlighted the threat posed to Pakistan by the Afghanistan-based
Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the terrorist group which has conducted
numerous deadly “cross-border” attacks and operations. The
report 13th in the series by the UN Security Council Monitoring team on
Afghanistan states that the that TTP remains focused on long-term campaign
against the Pakistani state with its several thousand fighters in Afghanistan.
“TTP constitutes the largest component of foreign terrorist fighters in
Afghanistan, with their number estimated to be several thousand, according to
the report released on Friday. “TTP has arguably benefited the most of all the
foreign extremist groups in Afghanistan from the Taliban takeover. It has
conducted numerous attacks and operations in Pakistan…”“The presence of
‘several thousand’ TTP fighters in Afghanistan, as stated in the latest UN
report, quite understandably poses a serious and credible threat from
Pakistan’s perspective,” a European diplomat told APP on the condition of
anonymity. On its part, Pakistan had shared a dossier with the UN Security
Council, containing evidence of financial and material support provided by
Indian intelligence agencies to TTP to conduct cross-border terrorist attacks
against Pakistani military and civilian targets. TTP was also responsible for
the heinous attack on Army Public School in Peshawar in which over 150 children
were killed. Separately, quoting information provided by a “Member State,” the
Monitoring Team report mentions the presence of defunct Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT)
and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) in Afghanistan, something its several previous
reports did not have. However, ever since becoming a member of the UN Security
Council in January 2021, India has been repeatedly criticising the UN
Monitoring Team in public as well as reportedly in the closed meetings of the
UN for not including specific references to these groups in the UN reports. On
February 14, 2022, during a public meeting of the Counter Terrorism Committee
(CTC), which India currently chairs, it’s representative publicly slammed the
UN Monitoring Team on the same issue, stating that the UN reporting mechanism
was “plagued by political biases.” While the reference to LeT and JeM in the
latest report appears to be an attempt to respond to the Indian pressure and
criticism, diplomatic observers say that the Monitoring Team has apparently
steered clear of owing any evidence of the presence of these defunct groups in
Afghanistan by ascribing the information to a certain Member State. At the same
time, the report also anonymously mentions another Member State according to
which “there is no evidence of the presence of LeT and JeM in the region.”
According to diplomats familiar with the work of the UN Security Council sanction
committees, India’s efforts to push its domestic political agenda in the
technical work of the committees, including by pressurising members of the UN
Monitoring Team, is a cause of concern for many Council members, including
India’s close allies. Such politicised measures, according to these diplomats,
are undermining the credibility of the UN bodies, impacting their work, and
diverting attention from the real terrorist threats being faced by the region.
Some analysts also say that Indian tactics were part of a broader strategy to
deflect increasing criticism aimed at India’s atrocities, and gross violations
of human rights abuses in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK)
as well as mainstreaming of Islamophobia in its political discourse. India has repeatedly used the bogey of
terrorism to divert attention away from its domestic persecution of Muslims as
well as state terrorism in IIOJK, it was pointed out. India’s strong opposition
to the UN initiatives aimed at addressing the issue of Islamophobia as well as
terrorist attacks being carried out against Muslims and their places of worship
on that basis, shows that the agenda of India’s supremacist terrorist
organisations like RSS has become a foreign policy priority for India, analysts
say. Because of its domestic political environment, India tried to block
consensus in the United Nations General Assembly on the 7th Review of the UN
Global Counter Terrorism Strategy (GCTS) which called upon member states to
take appropriate measures to address Islamophobia as well as terrorist attacks
on the basis of Islamophobia, and xenophobia. Despite Indian opposition, the UN
Strategy was adopted by the UN General Assembly by consensus. https://tribune.com.pk/story/2358790/un-report-highlights-afghanistan-based-ttp-threat-to-pakistan
4 Two martyred; May 29 2022: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in their fresh act of state terrorism martyred two Kashmiri youth in South Kashmir’s Islamabad district on Saturday. The troop martyred the youth during a cordon and search operation (CASO) in Shattipora area of the district. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/05/28/indian-troops-martyr-two-youth-in-iiojk-4.html
Kashmir Update, 182; Week (May 16,2022 to May 22 2022)
1 One martyred May 21 2022: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in their fresh act of state terrorism martyred one Kashmiri youth in Kupwara district, today (May 21) The troops martyred the youth during a military operation in Tangdhar area of the district. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/05/20/indian-troops-martyr-one-kashmiri-youth-in-kupwara.html
Kashmir Update, 181; Week (May 9,2022 to May 15 2022)
1 Two martyred; may 9 2022; In
Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in their fresh act
of state terrorism martyred two youth in Kulgam district. The youth were
martyred by Indian army’s Rashtriya Rifles and Central Reserve Police Force
(CRPF) during a cordon and search operation (CASO) in Cheyan Devsar area of the
district. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/05/08/indian-troops-martyr-two-youth-in-kulgam.html
2
Three martyred; may 11 2022; Indian
troops in their fresh acts of state terrorism martyred three Kashmiri youth in
Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The troops martyred two youth
during a cordon and search operation in Kreeri Dooru area of Islamabad
district, this evening. The operation continued till last reports came in. The
occupation authorities have suspended internet service in the area. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/05/10/indian-troops-martyr-three-more-kashmiri-youth.html
3 One martyred: May 12
2022: In Indian illegally occupied
Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in their fresh act of state terrorism, today(May 1), martyred one more Kashmiri youth in
north Kashmir’s Bandipora. The troops martyred the youth during a cordon and
search operation in Salinder forest area of the district. The operation
continued till last reports came in.
https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/05/11/indian-troops-martyr-one-more-youth-in-iiojk-2.html
4
Two martyred: May 14,
2022: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in
their fresh act of state terrorism martyred two Kashmiri youth in north
Kashmir’s Bandipora district, today (May 13). The troops martyred the youth
during a cordon and search operation in the Brar Aragam area of the district.
https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/05/13/indian-troops-martyr-two-kashmiri-youth-in-bandipora-2.html
Kashmir Update, 180 ;
Week (May 2,2022
to May 8,2022)
1 three martyred; May 7 2022; In
Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in their fresh act
of state terrorism martyred three Kashmiri youth in Islamabad district, today.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Indian Army’s Rashtriya Rifles and Central
Reserve Police Force personnel martyred the youth during a joint cordon and
search operation in Pahalgam area of the district.
https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/05/06/indian-troops-martyr-three-youth-in-iiojk-2.html
2 Indian deported; May 77 2022; Indian Hindu fired, jailed and deported from Qatar on his hate speech against Muslims & Arabs while he was working & living on Muslim Arab soil https://twitter.com/LadyVelvet_HFQ/status/1522601415310462976 @LadyVelvet_HFQ
Kashmir Update, 179;
Week Apr ,26, 2022 to May 2, 2022
1 Two martyred; Apr 29 2022; In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in their fresh act of state terrorism martyred two youth in Pulwama district. The troops martyred the youth including an engineering student, Aijaz Ahmed, during a cordon and search operation in Mitrigam area of the district. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/04/28/indian-troops-martyr-two-youth-in-pulwama-3.html
Kashmir Update, 178;
Week Apr,18, 2022 to April 24,
2022
1
Arabs react: Apr.,
2, 2022: Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Middle Eastern countries:Saudi
Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman is under the
process of meetings conferences against the
Cruelty of BJP Govt which has
passed NRC, NPR, CAA bill against Muslim citizens of India and Indian
Constitution, if these NRC, CAA are not Cancelled and withdrawn, then Saudi
Arabia is Planning to put a BAN on 83% of Crude Oil Supplies to India, Later
Iran may also ban Oil supplies to India. Turkey has urged UNO and Human Rights
Commission to Act wisely in the situation of India, if UNO do not take legal
action then TURKEY is ready to form a new UNO. If situations of India is not
normalised then Jeddah SAUDI ARABIA may also call and urge the Emergency
meeting with all 57 Countries of (OIC) Organisation of Islamic Cooperation
& may start Deporting all Hindu Expatriates back to India. MUSLIM UMMAH ECONOMIC BOYCOTT AGENDA FOR
INDIA ALL OF US HAVE JOINED THE FREEDOM FIGHT FOR MUSLIMS OF KASHMIR, JUST AS
INDIA HAS CAUSED WAR & DEVASTATION ON THE PEOPLE OF KASHMIR PLEASE BE A
Economic soldier FOR KASHMIR AND WAGE AN ECONOMIC WAR AGAINST MODI AND HIS
ETHNIC RELIGIOUS CLEANSING. THIS IS FIFTH GENERATION WAR! INDIA IS IN AN
ECONOMIC CRISES;BOYCOTT EVERY THING INDIAN, Indian: Channels;Movies.
Employment; New hires;restaurants;Rice; Spice; Atta/flour;Fruits;Clothes;Oils;Daals;Vegetables;Travel.
Airspace restricted for indian airlines and jets. Indian Tyres & Tube’s to
be banned ;Indian Computers to be banned. Indian biscuits & sweets to e
banned Hit India in the pocket! When ever you buy anything, check, is it
Indian? If it is, don't buy it in solidarity with Kashmir. The best way to
defeat an unlawful military oppression/aggression is through economic boycott.
You can make a difference. Every drop counts.
2
Three martyred; Apr
22 2022; In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in
their fresh act of state terrorism martyred three Kashmiri youth in Baramulla
district, today. The youth were martyred by Indian army’s Rashtriya Rifles,
paramilitary and Special Operation Group during a violent cordon and search
operation (CASO) in Pariswani area of the district. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/04/21/indian-troops-martyr-two-kashmiri-youth-in-baramulla.html
3
: Omar on Kashmir; Apr
22 2022; The US Congresswoman, Ilhan Omar’s visit to Azad Jammu and
Kashmir, today, unnerved India. Ilhan Omar visited AJK, today (Apr 21) , to
obtain first-hand information about the current situation of Indian illegally
occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Addressing a press conference in Muzaffarabad, she
stated that the US Foreign Affairs Committee had previously held hearings to
investigate the reports of human rights violations in IIOJK and discussed the
Modi administration’s anti-Muslim rhetoric and its effects. “I don’t believe
that it is being talked about to the extent it needs to be in Congress and
within the administration,” she said and hoped that her visit to AJK motivates
more conversation Ilhan Omar said the condemnations and concerns of those who
fight for human rights and the question of Kashmir will be included in future
hearings within the US. The US Congresswoman also visited the Line of Control
(LoC) and was briefed about the current situation of the forward areas. India
sharply reacted to Ilhan Omar’s visit. The spokesperson for Indian Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, Arindam Bagchi, at a media briefing said, “Let me just say
that if such a politician wishes to practise her narrow-minded politics at
home, that’s her business.” “But violating our territorial integrity and
sovereignty… makes this ours and we think the visit is condemnable,” he added.
https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/04/21/us-congresswoman-ilhan-omars-visit-to-ajk-unnerves-india.html
4
US Congressman on Kashmir ;Apr 24 2022;A prominent American Congressman has expressed concern
over the human rights situation in Kashmir and emphasised that the US
government must make clear that it expects better of democracies like India. The
remarks by Congressman Andy Levin a member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs
and Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific and Nonproliferation -- came during a
virtual Congressional briefing organised by the Indian American Muslim Council
and 16 other groups on Wednesday. The Democratic Party Congressman emphasised
the need for the US to take a clear stance on India's human rights violations
and make clear that the US cares about what happens in Kashmir and that we
expect better of democracies like India. The Democratic Party Congressman
emphasised the need for the US to take a clear stance on India's human rights
violations and make clear that the US cares about what happens in Kashmir and
that we expect better of democracies like India . Quoting reports of various
human rights groups documenting the rights abuses and intensified crackdown in
Kashmir after revoking its special autonomous status, Levin cautioned that
abuses were not happening in a vacuum these abuses are part of a worrying trend
towards authoritarianism. The Indian Parliament had revoked the special status
of Jammu and Kashmir, bifurcating the state into two Union Territories on
August 5, 2019. https://kashmirobserver.net/2022/04/22/us-congressman-worried-over-kashmir-situation/
5 Two martyred; Apr 24 2022; In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in their fresh act of state terrorism martyred two Kashmiri youth in Kulgam district on Saturday. The troops martyred the youth during a cordon and search operation (CASO) in the Mirhama area of the district. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/04/23/indian-troops-martyr-two-kashmiri-youth-in-kulgam-4.html
Kashmir
Update, 176; Week (Apr,11, 2022
to Apr,17, 2022)
1
Two martyred: April 10 2022: In
Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in their fresh act
of state terrorism martyred two Kashmiri youth in Srinagar district on Sunday.
The troops martyred the youth during a cordon and search operation (CASO) in
Beshembar Nagar area of the district.
https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/04/10/indian-troops-martyrs-one-kashmiri-youth-in-srinagar.html
2
Two martyred: April 11 2022: In
Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in their fresh act
of state terrorism martyred two youth in Kulgam district, today.The troops
martyred the youth during a cordon and search operation (CASO) at Iftari time
in Khurbatpora area of the district. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/04/11/indian-troops-martyr-two-kashmiri-youth-in-iiojk.html
3
Challenges for press freedom in
Kashmir;By Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai ;April 13, 2022; “Kashmiri journalists are already working in a
dangerous environment and under a climate of fear, given the various threats
they face from multiple actors. This climate of fear has been exacerbated also
by state surveillance, police questioning journalists about their reporting,
and criminal and anti-terror cases that have been filed against journalists,”
Committee to Protect Journalists. (Courtesy: Mint Lounge). Who does not know
the historic date of December 10, 1948? It was on this day that the United
Nations adopted one of its first major achievements, that is known as the
‘Universal Declaration of Human Rights’ (UDHR). The Assembly proclaimed the
Declaration: “a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all
nations.” Included in the Declaration is the ‘Freedom of Movement. The clear
trend of modern history is towards greater individual freedoms. The guarantee
to move freely throughout one country or in this global village is one of the
greatest individual freedoms man has ever had. There are different levels of
freedoms. But perhaps the purest expression of freedom is that of movement.
This is exactly what the Berlin Wall exemplified. The Berlin Wall was not a
defensive barrier nor an obstacle to keep enemies of Germany out, but it was a
wall to keep ordinary citizens belonging to the same family away from each other.
Fortunately, that Berlin Wall has crumbled. It does not exist anymore. But we
still have many more Berlin Walls with different names like one known as
Cease-fire Line in the occupied State of Jammu and Kashmir The European
Community has realized the importance of freedom of movement and has passed
legislative measures guaranteeing this very important right. These measures
seek to abolish national discrimination by member states and to ensure that a
citizen of any of the European Community can live and work without restrictions
in the member state of his choice. Europeans now pass and move freely country
to country. Gone are the security check points and the border patrol guards.
The Europeans have realized that freedom of movement is fundamental to all economic
freedoms. It is difficult for people, like the people of the tormented land of
Kashmir, to comprehend the real significance of declarations, such as that ours
is a global village, where we must abide according to the Charter of the United
Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and its principles. To them,
these principles, and these slogans are never real. The reality is otherwise
because people are arrested as along as their tormentors please and there is no
recourse to legal defense. In such cases, the United Nations remains a silent
observer, procrastinating on enforcing its will, especially so when the
affected people are insulated from the civilized eye How can I ask the people of Jammu &
Kashmir to repose their trust in the principles of the United Nations; how can
I ask them to believe in the Universal declaration of Human rights; and how can
I make them believe in this right to ‘Freedom of Movement’, when they see that
those who violate the will of the United Nations are not placed under the
economic and political pressure that is specified by Article 13 (2) of the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 12 (2) of the International
Covenant on Civil and Political Covenant.
The United Nations Human Rights Council has to examine whether or not
the behavior of a member state is in accordance with the pledge it made under
Article 55 and 56 and is justified in “a democratic society.” When one examines
the state’s actions in the light of the United Nations pronouncements, then
many more questions arise as to its commitment to protecting the freedom of
movement. The UN Human Rights Committee that was established by a 1966 human
rights treaty, has expressed that states are liable under the Political
Covenant for violations of a person’s rights recognized in that Covenant and
committed by its agents in the territory of another state. The United Nations
and its affiliated organizations have a stake in the substance of this right
Freedom of Movement in Indian Occupied Kashmir. Since 1947, the people of this
land have been unable to avail of their right to internal and transnational
movement. Instead, they have suffered the pain of four displacements,
expulsions, exiles and refusals to return. The Kashmiri refugees, overshadowed
by international crisis, from Syria to Afghanistan to Myanmar to Ukraine, say
the world has forgotten them. And, like refugees everywhere, they say one of
their worst trials is uncertainty. In Indian occupied Kashmir, an ominous
pattern of violations of the right to freedom of movement is taking place. As
these are occurring in the course of an armed conflict in the exercise of the
right to self-determination, international scrutiny is imperative. Violations
of the right to freedom of movement by the Indian forces can be characterized
as breaches of the Fourth Geneva Convention in addition to breaches of
international human rights law standards. Dr. Nazir Gilani, President, JKCHR
says, “There is a special guarantee of freedom of travel including the lawful
entry and exit given in the UN Security Council Resolution of 21 April 1948.
Travel of the local inhabitants and of many others to and from the Valley has
come to a standstill. So much so that Indian administration has denied the
request made by the officials of the office of the UN High Commissioner for
Human Rights to visit the Valley Here are a few examples of violations of the
right of freedom of movement occurring in Jammu & Kashmir. Jammu and
Kashmir is one political and geographical entity divided artificially by a
cease-fire line which has come into existence as a result of intervention by
the United Nations. Movement of one and all is restricted when an entire
locality is put under, what is locally known as a crackdown in Kashmir. Entire
locality is besieged by the Indian army during cordon and search operations.
When the entire male population of an area is detained at a particular place,
in the open, sometimes in sub-zero temperatures, sometimes extreme heat, rain
without food and water for the whole day which may even extend to parts of
night. Frequent roadblock check and harassment, humiliation of civilians
including medical and firefighting personnel trying to carry out their duties
has greatly hampered movement of people in their own land. There have been many
occasions where vehicles have been fired upon by the Indian army killing and
injuring people while in travel. Movement to the hospitals too has got
restricted as the Indian army has not and does not spare these institutions
too. Passports are denied selectively. Some political leaders have not been
given passports even to receive medical treatment outside India or simply to
travel to other countries. We urge the UN Human Rights Council to apply the
ECOSOC Resolution 1990/78 that was adopted on July 27, 1990 to the benefit of
those who have been denied their right of freedom of movement, forced to take
refuge elsewhere, displaced from their homes, exiled and expelled from their
homelands, examples; Dr. Ghulam Nabi Mir of the United States, Nazir Ahmed of
the United Kingdom, Dr. Mubeen Shah who is residing these days outside India
and many others. We call upon the United Nations and all its agencies to
provide a coordinated response in alleviating the conditions of these people
without any delay. We also appeal to the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights,
in the name of humanity and justice to help stop these atrocities and listen to
cries of anguish and pain of the innocent people of Kashmir. If we fail to
carry out this task, we shall not be living upto the Charter of the Human
Rights Council which has been mandated to give ‘meaning to the sufferings of
the human race.’
Kashmir
Update, 175; Week (Apr,4, 2022
to Apr,10, 2022)
1
Indian restaurant shut down: Apr., 4 2022: Authorities in the Bahraini capital, Manama, have shut down
an Indian restaurant after it allegedly denied entry to a woman wearing the
hijab On
Friday, in a widely-shared video the friend of the
woman in question explained what happened. "The restaurant,
"Lanterns" is telling her you cannot enter because you are wearing a
hijab. Can you imagine?" the woman said. "The restaurants should not
be making these types of decisions, because we are in a Muslim country."
According to Bahraini newspaper, the Daily Tribune, the Bahrain
Tourism and Exhibition Authority (BTEA) has since launched an investigation
into the matter. The Lantern restaurant's duty manager has also been taken into
custody; the restaurant also confirmed that he was suspended. On Saturday .The
incident comes amid an Indian court's decision, earlier this month, to uphold a
controversial ban on the hijab inside educational institutions in the southern state
of Karnataka, which is governed by the Hindu hardliner BJP party. The ban
sparked angry protests from Muslim women and girls https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220328-bahrain-indian-restaurant-shut-down-over-banning-entry-to-woman-wearing-hijab/?mc_cid=70cfcbe0e0&mc_eid=f50a97be6b
2 Two martyred: April 06 2022: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in their fresh act of state terrorism, martyred two Kashmiri youth in Pulwama district, today. The troops martyred the youth during a massive cordon and search operation in Arigam area of the district. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/04/06/indian-troops-martyr-two-youth-in-pulwama-2.html
Kashmir
Update, 174; Week (mar,28, 2022
to Apr,3, 2022)
1
Banerjee ; March 29
2022; Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has urged non-BJP chief
minsters and opposition leaders to come together in fight against the Hindutva
party. The West Bengal chief minister writes to non-BJP chief ministers and
opposition leaders that the saffron party is misusing Indian agencies.Virtually
attending a meeting of opposition parties convened by Congress interim
president Sonia Gandhi, the Trinamool Congress chief asked the opposition
leaders to keep aside differences and put up a united fight against the BJP
saffron party.
https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/03/29/mamata-asks-non-bjp-cms-to-unite-against-hindutva-party.html
2 One martyred; Apr 1 2022; In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in their fresh act of state terrorism martyred one Kashmiri youth in South Kashmir’s Shopian district, today. The youth was martyred by Indian troops and paramilitary forces during a cordon and search operation at Turkwagam area of the district. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/04/01/indian-troops-martyr-kashmiri-youth-in-shopian-3.html
Kashmir Update, 173; Week (mar,21, 2022 to mar,27, 2022 )
1
Chattisinghpora ;March 20
2022;Twenty-two years have passed since the
massacre of Chattisinghpora but no headway has been made in the case and the
delay in justice has led to disillusionment among the members of Sikh
community. Thirty-five members of Sikh community were killed in disguise by
Indian troops in Chattisinghpora area of Islamabad district on March 20 in 2000
on the eve of the then US President, Bill Clinton’s visit to India, said a
report released by Kashmir Media Service, today. It said that the
Chattisingpora massacre was meant to give a bad name to Kashmiris’ freedom
struggle and it was an attempt to equate Kashmiris’ struggle for
self-determination to terrorism. It is important
to mention here that Indian troops had orchestrated the Chittisinghpora carnage
and put the blame on the Kashmiri freedom-fighters to defame their freedom
movement. The troops had killed five persons and burnt their bodies beyond
recognition in Pathribal area of the district a few days later on March 25
claiming that the killed were involved in the Chittisinghpora incident.
However, later the investigations proved that the slain persons were local
civilians, who were picked up by the Indian Army from different areas and were
killed in a fake encounter.
https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/03/20/no-headway-in-chattisinghpora-massacre-despite-passage-of-22-years.html
2
Why I'm Crashing Screenings of
"Kashmir Files" in California ;by Pieter Friedrich; Propaganda film's
sole purpose is to incite anti-Muslim hatred and violence in India ; Mar 22 2022;“Kashmir Files” purports to tell the story
of the 1990 Kashmiri Pandit Exodus. In 1990, as a separatist uprising began in
Muslim-majority Kashmir, a Hindu community known as “Pandits” fled the region
en masse. Many of them were killed at the time as well as over the next 10 to
15 years. The
specifics of the persecution of Kashmiri Pandits demand attention and have
already been faithfully recounted by various historians and journalists in both
the past and the present. They certainly suffered. Perhaps a hundred thousand
or more (out of a population of 140,000) fled the region. According to figures
recently released by Kashmir Police, at least 89 were killed; at the high end,
according to figures collected by a Kashmiri Pandit organization, up to 650
were killed between 1990 and 2011. As a notable aside, it’s questionable
whether all of those Pandits who were targeted were killed for their religion
or rather for political reasons due to the positions many held as government
officials; while their murders, either way, are condemnable, the latter reason
casts the affair in a far different light than the purely communal lens through
which Agnihotri insists it must be viewed. Moreover, the tragic killings of
Pandits by militant separatists should also be contextualized alongside the
thousands of Kashmiri Muslims who were also killed by militants as well as the
tens of thousands of Kashmiri Muslims a great many of them innocent civilians
who were murdered by Indian security forces during their brutal suppression of
the separatist movement. Regardless,
the story of the Kashmiri Pandits deserves to be told (as does that of every
persecuted community), but instead of telling it honestly, Agnihotri has seized
on it as a political tool to spread anti-Muslim propaganda at a time when, 30
years after the fact, Pandits face no persecution whatsoever while Muslims
throughout India according to many, many
sources are at risk of an impending
genocide at the hands of the ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party
(BJP), its parent organization, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), and
other affiliated elements. In Agnihotri’s mythologized telling, at least 4,000
Kashmiri Pandits were murdered. His film explicitly terms it a “genocide” and
supportive viewers are widely comparing it to the systematic location,
deportation, and elimination of six million Jews by the Nazis. Agnihotri
portrays the exodus of the Pandits as an untold even deliberately covered up
story which he alone had the courage to reveal. Some courage it took, too,
considering that Indian Prime Minister Modi and many of his top cabinet members
have openly endorsed it while most BJP states are not only allowing it be shown
tax-free but giving state employees a paid half-day (and free tickets) to go
view it. The
general American public is clueless about the messaging behind “Kashmir Files,”
but it’s not lost on audiences in India. Videos filmed at multiple different Indian
cinemas show audiences, as the end credits scroll, rising to raise their own
slogans. “India will be a Hindu nation,” shouts one crowd. “No Muslim will be
allowed.” Another crowd shouts, “Long live BJP. When Muslims are slaughtered,
then they will chant the name of Ram.” Yet another crowd cheers as a man
declares: “If every Hindu boy under 25 starts marrying a Muslim girl, then
their population will be less than half within three generations. Marry their
women, make children with them.” Such a reaction is to be expected. After
all, as Indian journalist Siddharth Bhatia notes, “The film is exploitative in
the extreme, made to rouse emotions and build up a particular mood against
Indian Muslims.” Countless others have reached the same conclusion. “At every possible
opportunity, the filmmaker underscores the terrorists’ religion,” writes Indian
film critic Tanul Thakur. “Another piece of dog-whistling: all Kashmiri Muslims
are terrorists (this isn’t even an implication; the film is almost explicit
about it, more than once) Given the blatant communal climate in the country for
the last many years, these implications are unmistakable: that terrorists =
Muslims or, more accurately, Muslims = terrorist.” “There isn’t a single Muslim
character in the film who is empathetic,” says Indian screenwriter Darab
Farooqui. “Every single Muslim character is either deceitful or evil…. It’s a
propaganda piece that only shows one version of events. Yes, the events are
bitter, unpleasant and ugly facts. They are, nevertheless, deceptive, dishonest
and incomplete. The Kashmir Files serves a purpose, and the purpose is
propaganda.” Indian journalist Naomi Barton warns that “Agnihotri has built a
great canal of hatred,” explaining, “In broad strokes, the Muslims of The
Kashmir Files are unequivocally shown as barbaric, or servile to a barbaric
cause.” Barton adds, “The lie is that all Muslims must be collectively punished
for this, and any violence visited upon them is justly deserved.” Indeed, the
entire point of the film inescapably seems to be to convey the message that the
killing of some Hindus in Kashmir by some Kashmiri Muslim separatists 30 years
ago justifies, today, mass violence against Muslims throughout the entirety of
India.That’s obvious from the bloodthirsty slogans of audiences in India. It’s
also the message that one anonymous YouTuber took away from the film. In a viral video, a
man wearing a saffron mask the color of the Hindu nationalist movement urges,
“If you are a Hindu and want to avenge (the deaths) of Kashmiri pandits, if you
know a Muslim, trouble them.” He demands the killing of Indian Muslims
“everyone from the oldest to the youngest” and calls for the rape of their mothers,
sisters, grandmothers, aunts, and others. “Trouble them so much that they cry,
leave them tormented,” he says. “Create an atmosphere that forces them to leave
the country. We won’t let them leave nor will we let them live in the country.”
That’s the intent of the Hindu nationalist movement figure-headed by the
RSS-BJP: to not let Muslims live in India or leave India. Ideologically, in
their eyes, Muslims (as well as Christians) are “traitors” to the nation
because, as they believe, only Hindus can truly be considered “Indian.”
According to the RSS-BJP, these minority communities must therefore be purged
from the country. Eliminated. Killed. This was the goal underlying the fascist
oath taken by a genocidal conclave of Hindu nationalists held just a few months
ago. “We all take an oath, give our word, and make a resolution that, until our
last breath, we will make India a Hindu nation and keep it a Hindu only
nation,” they pledged “We will fight, and die, and, if required, we will kill
as well.” Simultaneously, in the city of Haridwar, Uttarakhand, another
conclave was urged to take up weapons to wipe out Indian Muslims. Such events
are one of many reasons that organizations like Genocide Watch, a US-based
nonprofit, are incessantly warning about the looming risk of a genocide of
Indian Muslims. “India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has made Islamophobia a state-manufactured
ideology, increasingly putting the Muslim and Dalit [those formerly known as
“Untouchables”] communities under state-sponsored attack,” says the group. As
founder Dr. Gregory Stanton explains, “We believe there is a real risk of
massacres. What is, of course, extremely troubling here is that the Modi
government has stood back, said nothing, and will be very happy to just watch
it happen. That is exactly what Modi did in Gujarat in 2002. It is what he will
do again. So, this massacre this genocide will likely not be even carried out
by the Indian State. It will likely be carried out by mobs.” “Kashmir Files” is
pouring fuel on the Islamophobic fire as it incites theater-going audiences to
form those violent mobs. As Stanton notes, massacres of Muslims by mobs in
India have happened before under Modi. While Agnihotri exaggerates and sensationalizes
a tragic event from 30 years to manipulate emotions and fan anti-Muslim hatred,
Modi (who endorses “Kashmir Files”) presided over another atrocity of far
greater proportions which came to a bloody close 20 years ago this month. Over
a three-day period, from 27 February to 1 March 2002, mobs fielded and led by
the RSS-BJP flooded the streets of Gujarat, India (at a time when Modi was
Chief Minister of the state) to systematically slaughter approximately 2,000
Muslims. The massacre earned Modi the nickname, “The Butcher of Gujarat,” but
it also served to massively popularize him within India’s Hindu nationalist
movement. Today, with Modi helming the entire nation and with an administration
marked by a wave of anti-Muslim attacks, lynchings, and smaller-scale pogroms
there are very legitimate fears that the situation may soon turn into one of
out-and-out genocide. Riefenstahl, as Bhatia explains, was “Hitler’s favorite
director and a great propagandist of the Third Reich.” He notes: “In Vivek
Ranjan Agnihotri, the BJP may have found its own Riefenstahl, even if he falls
far short of her filmmaking standards.” While Agnihotri may be no Riefenstahl
in terms of skill, his “Kashmir Files” certainly threatens to accomplish the
same lethal ends. It must be opposed
3
China on Kashmir; mar
24 2022; Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi referred to Jammu and Kashmir during his
speech at the opening ceremony of the Organisation for Islamic Cooperation (OIC
Wang said Beijing “heard the call of many Islamic friends” over the Kashmir
issue, adding that it “share the same aspiration.” Speaking at the event,
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan had said, “We [OIC] have failed both the
Palestinians and the people of Kashmir. I am sad to say that we have been able
to make no impact at all.”
4 OIC on Kashmir ; MARCH 25, 2022; The resolutions and statements at the 48th Session of OIC’s Council of Foreign Ministers have upset India as the 57-member Muslim world body exposed it for massive human rights abuses in IIOJK and stigmatization of the Muslims. Hosted by Pakistan from March 22-23 and attended by 46 ministerial-level delegations and 800 delegates, the moot adopted 140 resolutions. Twenty resolutions were sponsored or co-sponsored by Pakistan. The Islamabad Declaration of the OCI-CFM has mentioned India 10 times condemning its human rights violations in IIOJK, seeking reversal of its unilateral actions of August 5, 2019, and also calling for the implementation of the UN Security Council resolutions on Kashmir. In their statements, the OIC Secretary-General, leaders from Saudi Arabia, Niger, Asian, Arab and African Groups and China expressed their strong support and solidarity on the Kashmir issue. The reports by OIC Special Envoy on Jammu and Kashmir, IPHRC and ASG for Humanitarian Affairs and endorsement of Pakistan’s position on legal, diplomatic, human rights, humanitarian and peace and security dimensions of the Jammu and Kashmir issue also featured the moot. “We renew unwavering solidarity with the people of Jammu and Kashmir and express full support for their inalienable right to self-determination in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council and the OIC, and the wishes of the Kashmiri people,” the Islamabad Declaration said.“We condemn massive violations of their human rights in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) We reiterate rejection of India’s illegal and unilateral actions since August 5, 2019 aimed at altering the demographic composition of the occupied territory, suppressing the realization of the inalienable right of self-determination of the Kashmiris,” the Islamabad Declaration said. The 57-member Muslim world body also expressed grave concern over the violation of Pakistan’s airspace, a threat to passenger aircraft, and dangers to peace and security in South Asia arising from the launch of a supersonic missile on 9 March 2022 by India. “We call on India to fully abide by international law and norms of responsible State behavior and conduct a joint probe with Pakistan to accurately establish facts.” Regarding the systematic and widespread policy of discrimination and intolerance against Muslims in India, the OIC-CFM denounced the “most pernicious attacks on the Muslim identity in India as manifest in the discriminatory laws and policies targeting the Hijab.” “We call upon India to immediately revoke such discriminatory laws, ensure the rights of the Indian Muslims and protect their religious freedoms.” https://dailytimes.com.pk/907187/india-goes-berserk-as-oic-exposes-it-for-iiojk-abuses/
Kashmir Update, 172; Week (mar,14, 2022 to mar,20, 2022 )
1
One martyred; March
13 2022: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in
their fresh act of state terrorism martyred one more Kashmiri youth in Kupwara
district, today, taking the number of the slain youth in the territory to eight
since Thursday.The troops martyred the youth during a cordon and search
operation (CASO) in Niochama area of the district.
https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/03/13/indian-troops-martyr-one-more-youth-in-kupwara.html
2
One martyred; mar 16 2022; Indian
troops in their fresh act of state terrorism martyred, one more youth in
Pulwama district, today raising the toll to 9 since Thursday. The youth was
killed by the troops during a cordon and search operation in Charsoo area of
Awantipora in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district.
https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/03/15/indian-troops-martyr-one-more-youth-in-pulwama.html
3
Three martyred; Mar
16 2022: Indian troops in their fresh act of state terrorism martyred
three more Kashmiri youth in Srinagar, today.The troops martyred the youth
during a cordon and search operation in Nowgam area of Srinagar. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/03/16/indian-troops-martyr-three-more-youth-in-srinagar.html
4
OIC on Kashmir; Mar
18 2022: India has reacted angrily to the invitation extended by the
Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to illegally incarcerated Chairman of
All Parties Hurriyat Conference, Masarrat Aalam Butt. OIC Secretary General
Hissein Brahim Taha, through a letter, has invited the APHC Chairman, Masarrat
Aalam Butt to attend the 48th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM)
being held on 22-23 March 2022 in Islamabad. Meanwhile, APHC spokesman in a
statement issued in Srinagar, while confirming that the Hurriyat chairman
Masarrat Aalam Butt has received the invitation through a letter from the OIC
Secretary General Hissein Brahim Taha, said his participation in the meeting is
not possible as he remains imprisoned in New Delhi’s notorious Tihar jail. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/03/18/india-unnerved-over-oics-invitation-to-aphc-chairman.html
Kashmir Update, 170; Week (mar,7, 2022 to mar,13, 2022 )
1
International brigade for Ukraine by Sara Garcia; Mar 7 2022; Britain's
Foreign Secretary Liz
Truss has said that she will support anyone who
wants to go to Ukraine to join an international brigade of fighters against
Russia. She described such a mission as taking part in a battle "for
freedom and democracy".I can't help but wonder, though, about those who've
left British shores to fight overseas only to have their citizenships revoked
by an unsympathetic British government. The only difference I can see between
those who want to fight in Ukraine and those who want to fight in Palestine,
Syria, Libya or Iraq is skin colour and faith. There
are at least 100,000 Muslims living in Kyiv. Is Truss going to support their
British and European brothers and sisters who want to go out to fight alongside
them in the Ukrainian capital? She told the BBC on Sunday morning that it
was up to people to make their own decisions in such situations; she also said
that the Ukrainians are fighting for freedom, "not just for Ukraine but
for the whole of Europe." Why, I wonder, are democracy and freedom more
precious in Europe than, say, in Syria, where dictator Bashar Al-Assad is
trying to crush the last vestiges of a revolution in which Syrians dared to
dream about their own democratic state? And why are Palestinians who resist
Israel's brutal occupation demonised as "terrorists" and shunned by
the "democratic" and apparently freedom-loving West? I know many
people who would like to go out and join the Palestinians in defence of their
legitimate rights as they fight for survival against apartheid Israel. As Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urges
foreign nationals "to join the defence of security in Europe", his
government is ready to arm an "international" legion of volunteer
foreigners who wish to join the Ukrainian army in its fight against Russian
forces. "This is not just Russia's invasion of Ukraine," he pointed
out on his official website. "This is the beginning of a war against
Europe. Against European unity." Palestinian leaders have made similar
statements about securing the future of Islam's third holiest site, the Noble Sanctuary
of Al-Aqsa in Jerusalem, which is under attack by Israeli occupation forces,
including illegal settlers. If an international call was made for millions of
Muslims across the West to protect Al-Aqsa from the murderous designs of the
Israelis, would Foreign Secretary Liz Truss approve? Somehow, I doubt it. As I
wrote a couple of days ago, "The crisis in Ukraine exposes
the hypocrisy of Israel and its Zionist allies." Among the latter stands
Truss and the government in which she has a senior role. "Everyone who
wants to join the defence of security in Europe and the world may come and
stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukrainians against the invaders of the 21st
Century," said Zelenskyy. Now imagine that Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh
whose democratic election as Palestinian Prime Minister in 2006 was rejected by
those same Zionist allies issued such an invitation to Muslims around the
world, and Britain in particular, to protect the people of occupied Palestine
from Israel and its settler-colonialism. Apartheid, remember, is akin to a
crime against humanity, and the annexation of territory through military action
is illegal; Israel is guilty of both. Moreover, some of the settlers and
soldiers who bolster and enforce Israel's occupation of Palestine hold British
and other European passports. But hey, that's OK it seems, because they are
white and Jewish, while those who oppose them are "only" Arabs In
2019, I visited an amputee clinic
where traumatised Syrian children were being taught to walk again. I met
British doctors, teachers and aid workers who have had their citizenship
revoked because they were working in rebel-held Idlib. Unable to make a legal
challenge against the British government's decision from a war zone, they are
now in a legal black hole. They didn't pick up weapons or go out to fight; they
simply wanted to help the ordinary Syrian people in their struggle for
democracy and the best way they could do this was by using the skills that they
have. They must all be wondering why the British government which stripped them
of their passports is ready to back those looking to do the same in Ukraine,
and even take up arms there. Can there be any more blatant example of
hypocrisy, Islamophobia and racism than that being displayed by Liz Truss and,
presumably, her boss Boris Johnson and their cabinet colleagues? When people
are in trouble it is human nature for people to want to help in any way they
can. I would not dream of criticising anyone who wants to join an international
brigade to help Ukrainians in their struggle. But if that's OK, then it should
also be OK for others to go to help the people of Palestine, Chechnya, Libya,
Syria, Yemen, occupied Kashmir and other trouble spots. In the 1930s, around
60,000 young people left North America and Europe to join the International
Brigade, groups of foreign volunteers who fought on the Republican side against
the fascist Nationalist forces during the Spanish Civil War (1936–39). What is
rarely reported is that while many left Britain to fight for the republicans,
there was also a few who fought alongside the fascists. Neither faced any
problems when they returned to Britain. While Truss and UK Defence Secretary
Ben Wallace insist that British soldiers will not be sent to Ukraine to fight,
the position of British citizens who decide to join the international brigade
needs to be clarified. The foreign secretary needs to explain why the defence
of democracy in Ukraine is acceptable, but standing up against tyrants,
dictators and authoritarian regimes elsewhere is not. We have a right to know.
More to the point, so do the people of occupied Palestine and Syria. If the
Ukrainians can be helped by an international brigade, why can't they? https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220227-if-ukraine-can-have-an-international-brigade-why-cant-palestine-and-syria/?mc_cid=0956f28de2&mc_eid=f50a97be6b
2
British lawmakers
on Kashmir; Mar 9 2022; several British lawmakers have urged
United Kingdom (UK) Prime Minister Mr Boris Johnson to speak about human rights
violations including violation of women’s rights in Indian Illegally occupied
Jammu and Kashmir (IIoJK) The British MPs joined a delegation of Tehreek-e-Kashmir
UK at 10 Downing Street to submit a petition and submitted it at PM’s Office. The
petition, signed by British parliamentarians and the general public, includes
reports prepared by various independent and non-governmental international
organizations on the violence perpetrated by Indian occupying forces on
Kashmiri women and urges Boris government to use its influence to halt Indian
genocide of Kashmiris. British lawmakers including Afzal Khan, Liam Byrne,
Imran Hussain, Paul Blomfield, Gill Furniss, Muhammad Yasin, Khalid Mehmood,
Tahir Ali and Yasmin Qureshi joined Kashmiri delegation led by Fahim
Kayani, President Tehreek-e-Kashmir UK, besides Rehana Ali, Sheni Hamid and
Soraya Boyd and Raja Muhammad Azad. March 08 is observed as International Women’s
Day every year and today members of Tehreek-e-Kashmir (TeK) UK gathered outside
Johnson’s office in London to urge the UK to raise the issue of India’s illegal
occupation of Kashmir which has resulted in mass violation of women’s rights in
IIoJK. British lawmakers called on Prime Minister Boris Johnson to use his good
offices and hold India accountable.
https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2022/03/09/british-mps-urge-boris-johnson-to-speak-on-human-rights-violations-by-india-in-iiojk/
3
Ukraine and Kashmir; Mar 9 2022; Pakistan’s Prime Minister now he has become the first foreign leader to meet Putin after his attack on Ukraine, even gushing about the presumed honor. Yet there remains the bigger
question of why Khan decided to betray Ukraine, which has actually taken
Pakistan’s side over the years by supporting Islamabad’s stance on
Kashmir. It’s possible to understand why
India is not criticizing Russia over the Ukraine invasion. Delhi and Moscow a
friendly relationship that dates back to Soviet times; today
Russia is India’s biggest arms
supplier. Russia has taken India’s side many times at the U.N. Security
Council, repeatedly vetoing resolutions criticizing Delhi on Kashmir. Many
Indians now support Putin because they think his stance on Ukraine is similar
to India’s stance on Kashmir. One Indian website published an article saying
that Putin should “just change [the] Russia map to include Ukraine, like we did
with Kashmir. Indians can’t forget that
Ukraine opposed India on the Security Council when Delhi stripped Jammu and
Kashmir of its autonomy in 2019. The following year, India opposed a
Ukrainian-sponsored Security Council resolution criticizing Russia for human
rights abuses in Crimea. The Indians also wanted to punish Ukraine for its arm
deals with Pakistan. Just last year, Pakistan awarded an $85 million contract
to Ukraine for modernizing the T-80UD tanks it had purchased from Kyiv in the
1990s. And yet this past week Pakistan joined the 35 countries that abstained
from voting against Russia in the United Nations General Assembly. Khan has been
trying to play the anti-West card for all it’s worth: when 23 E.U. countries
issued a statement calling on Pakistan to condemn the Russian invasion, he
lashed out at them, asking why they hadn’t criticized India for violating
international law on Kashmir. Even so, his policy toward Russia has now brought
him into the same diplomatic camp as India, which also abstained from the UNGA
vote.
4
One might also ask whether his
pro-Moscow policy really furthers Pakistan’s national interests. Some Pakistani
observers have pointed out that Pakistan’s trade relationship with Europe and
the United States is far more important than its business ties with Russia. So
why embrace Moscow? One reason might be that he’s exploiting anti-Western
sentiments to defuse a no-confidence move against him in the parliament. The
government claims that Khan is pursuing a “balanced and sovereign foreign
policy” by not taking sides in an international conflict. But how does this
square with Pakistan’s status as a major non-NATO ally of the United States?
And how can Khan ignore Russia’s presumed violations of international law in
the name of “balance?” I wonder if the prime minister is fully aware of the
true consequences of his policy of fake neutrality. Our relations with the United
States are almost certain to deteriorate even farther as a result. None of this
will help us to restore our troubled standing in the international community. A
top Indian official recently taunted Ukraine for selling weapons to Pakistan.
Yet Imran Khan is also appeasing the Indians by selling out Kyiv. Perhaps
President Biden has hurt the prime minister’s ego by not paying enough
attention to him but this is hardly a reason for undermining Pakistan’s
national interests. Khan is not only standing with Putin, but he is also
effectively supporting India, which punished Ukraine for its principled stand
on Kashmir. By doing so, the prime minister has lost a huge opportunity to
isolate India from the West. Khan’s new romance with Putin is a big blow to
Pakistan’s foreign policy. https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/03/09/imran-khan-pakistan-picks-terrible-time-make-friends-with-vladimir-putin/
5
Three martyred ; March 10 2022; In
Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in their fresh acts
of state terrorism martyred three Kashmiri youth in Pulwama and Srinagar
districts, today.The troops martyred two youth during a cordon and search
operation in Batpora Naina area of the district. Another youth was martyred by
the troops during a similar operation in Hazratbal area of Srinagar.
https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/03/10/indian-troops-martyr-two-kashmiri-youth-in-pulwama-4.html
6
UN on Kashmir; March
11 2022: A United Nations human rights expert has said that the Indian
government is tacitly allowing incitement to violence against Muslims in the
country. The UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, Ahmad
Shaheed, presented the report to the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council on
Thursday. In the report that documents the state-driven and tolerated hatred,
discrimination and violence against minorities in India, he also denounced the
wide-ranging Indian atrocities in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir. A
United Nations human rights expert has said that the Indian government is
tacitly allowing incitement to violence against Muslims in the country. The UN
Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, Ahmad Shaheed, presented
the report to the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council on Thursday. In the
report that documents the state-driven and tolerated hatred, discrimination and
violence against minorities in India, he also denounced the wide-ranging Indian
atrocities in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/03/11/un-experts-report-slams-indias-hr-abuses-in-iiojk.html
7
Kashmiri women demand writ of
instruments of human rights; Ghulam Nabi Fai Chairman World Forum for Peace
& Justice Mar 12, 2022; The Vienna Declaration and Program of Action adopted by
the World Conference on Human Rights, confirms the human rights of women as an
‘inalienable, integral and indivisible part of human rights.” The Beijing
Declaration and Platform of Action, both are an outcome of more than two
decades of collective efforts of the international community. NGO’s and civil
society at large, and their whole and sole objective was the empowerment of
women. As
per report of the various NGO’s and human rights agencies, hundreds of
thousands of women have been the target of sexual crimes at the hands of the
armed forces in Rwanda, Bosnia, Kosovo, Myanmar, Kashmir and elsewhere. These
NGO’s have documented incidents of gang-rape of young girls and grand mothers
alike. Sexual abuse sometimes in the presence of male family members is used as
a weapon of war. Rape by armed forces is, indeed, a gross violation of
international human rights and humanitarian law. The condemnation of rape
during war and internal conflicts must be condemned by all including Human
Rights Council to protect the rights of women in all circumstances. The report
of the ‘Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women’ noted that rape, “is the
destructive combination of power, anger and sex which incites sexual violence
against women. The victims of rape suffer a disorder, anxiety, and the ‘Rape
Trauma Syndrome’ which causes them to constantly relieve their rape through a
series of flashbacks, dreams, nightmares and body memories.” The United Nations
High Commissioner on Human Rights (UNHCHR) issued its “Report on the Situation
of Human Rights in Kashmir,” on July 8, 2019. The report contains graphic
documentation of human rights violations being committed by the Indian military
and paramilitary forces in Jammu & Kashmir. This is a significant step
towards greater international recognition of the serious abuses committed
against Kashmiris at the hands of Indian army. This report takes the veil of
secrecy off of India’s crimes against humanity. The 49-pages report cites
specific incidents where the Indian Government violated the very principles of
human decency and democratic freedom against the people of Kashmir. It is well
documented that the bloody occupation has resulted in massive human rights
violations, particularly targeting women and children. The sanctity of women
has been violated, in a gruesome and unforgiving fashion. The UN report upholds
that [In the 2013 report on her mission to India, the ‘Special Rapporteur on
Violence Against Women,’ its causes and consequences, said, “[W]omen living in
militarized regions, such as Jammu and Kashmir and the north-eastern states,
live in a constant state of siege and surveillance, whether in their homes or
in public. Information received through both written and oral testimonies
highlighted the use of mass rape, allegedly by members of the State security
forces, as well as acts of enforced disappearance, killings and acts of torture
and ill-treatment, which were used to intimidate and to counteract political
opposition and insurgency.” The United Nations report further illustrates that,
“One significant case that illustrates the state’s failure to investigate and
prosecute allegations of sexual violence and addressing impunity for sexual
crimes in Kashmir is the Kunan-Poshpora mass rape, which took place 27 years
ago and for which attempts to seek justice have been denied and blocked over
the years by the authorities at different levels. According to survivors and a
local administration official, on the night of 23 February 1991, soldiers from
the 4 Rajputana Rifles regiment of the Indian Army gang-raped around 23 women
of Kunan and Poshpora villages of Kupwara district. The Indian Army and
Government of India have denied the allegations” The UN report further details
that “Survivors and human rights groups have campaigned for an independent
investigation into this case for many years. In October 2011, SHRC directed the
state government to reopen and reinvestigate the case and to prosecute a senior
official whom it accused of deliberately obstructing the investigation. On 18
July 2013, a court in Kupwara district ordered the state police to
reinvestigate the case within three months. When no progress was made despite
these orders, five survivors filed a petition in the Jammu and Kashmir High
Court in October 2013. In July 2014, the High Court reportedly said the 2011
SHRC recommendations were supported by evidence and asked the state government
to consider paying monetary compensation within three months.” “Do You remember
Kunan Poshpora” documentary evidence of five brave Kashmiri women scholars
wrote these words on page 1, “This book is about one night in two villages in
Kashmir. It is about a night that has refused to end for 24 long years, a night
that holds stories of violations, injustice, oppression and falsehood, as well
as acts of courage, bravery and truth. This book is about Kunan Poshpora.” Dr.
Nazir Gilani, President JKCHR in a written statement submitted to the UN
Secretary General during 58th session of HRC said, “The issues of Kashmiri
women have multiplied ever since. The Kunan Poshpora rape case of 1991 and the
issue of half-widows (women whose husbands are missing and cannot re-marry)
have continued to remain unresolved.” Dr. Gilani added that “Women of Indian Administered
Jammu and Kashmir have descended into a ravine of helplessness from 1990. JKCHR
has highlighted the plight of Kashmiri women in its Statements released in the
Council, in particular the Statement A/HRC/37/NGO/113 dated 13 February 2018
released at the 37th session.” How many Kashmiri women have to be dishonored
before one concludes that a human rights violation has taken place? This is one
of the questions that is on the minds of millions of Kashmiri women. Please
remember that these women live under the stranglehold of a 900,000 strong army
of occupation. These women are not oblivious to the world events. They know
that in welcoming the appointment of a ‘Special Rapporteur on Violence Against
Women,’ the Vienna Declaration declared that “the human rights of women are an
inalienable, integral and indivisible part of the universal human rights.” They
wonder what action was taken by this Rapporteur, whose mandate included action
on “state-sponsored violence against women.” They waited with hope because the
same document had asked the United Nations human rights body to “strengthen
mechanisms or accountability to ensure that governments take steps to end
discrimination and punish perpetrators of violence against them.” (Reference UN
documents: E/CN/4/1995/NGO/28, and /5). These violated Kashmiri women ask: what
action has been taken to enforce the writ of the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights and the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women? The
suggestion made by Dr. Nazir Gilani is very pertinent when he said, “It is high
time that Human Rights Council addresses the question of sexual violence
committed against Kashmiri women as detailed in Paras 125 to 133 of OHCHR
Report of 14 June 2018. The Kunan-Poshpora mass rape victims have not received
any justice for the past 30 years. Many of the victims have died while waiting
for justice.”
8 Four martyred; Mar 12 2022: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in their fresh acts of state terrorism martyred four more Kashmiri youth in Pulwama, Ganderbal and Kupwara districts. The troops martyred two youth during a cordon and search operation at Chewa Kalan in Pulwama district, late last night. The troops martyred one youth each at Nunar in Ganderbal district and at Rajwar in Handwara area Kupwara district. The operations in these areas continued till last reports came in. A civilian was injured in the firing of the troops while a youth was arrested in Chewa Kalan. These fresh killings raised the number of martyred youth in IIOJK to seven in the last three days. The troops had martyred two youth in Pulwama and one in Srinagar districts on Thursday. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/03/12/indian-troops-martyr-four-youth-in-iiojk-2.html
Kashmir Update, 170; Week (Feb 28 2022 to mar,6, 2022), 2022
1
Indian
Supreme Court and Kashmir; Feb 28 2022; The Communist
Party of India Marxist (CPI-M) General Secretary, Sitaram Yechury, has said
that the Indian Supreme Court is not resolving the cases for more than three
years against the abrogation of Article 370 of the Indian constitution that
granted special status to Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/02/25/indian-sc-not-resolving-cases-against-abrogation-of-art-370-cpi-m.html
2
US
on Kashmir; March 03 2022: A senior US diplomat has
admitted that there are challenges to the human rights situation in Indian
illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Assistant Secretary of State for South
and Central Asia Donald Lu said this while briefing members of the Senate
Foreign Relations Subcommittee on the Near East, South Asia, Central Asia, and
Counterterrorism during a hearing on India-US relationship on Wednesday. he said, “We have not seen the holding of Legislative
Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir. We have not seen free movement of
journalists. We have seen the detention in fact of some prominent journalists
in the Kashmir Valley”. He also asserted that the Joe Biden administration is
keeping a close eye on the security situation in the region. The US diplomat
noted that the US believes all Kashmiris deserve the right to live in dignity
and enjoy protections looks forward to continuing to encourage India to fulfill
those commitments. KMS—3K https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/03/03/there-are-challenges-to-human-rights-situation-in-iiojk-says-us.html
3 Indian Armed Forces and Sanctions on Russia; Mar 6 2022; The three-star officer seemed to assume, without basis, that New Delhi’s enduring strategic, defence, diplomatic and political ties with Moscow and Washington prior to Ukraine’s invasion would rendered it immune from sanctions in perpetuity, despite the US’ determination to penalise Russia for its militarism. And, like most of the country’s officialdom, Air Marshal Singh, too, appears to presume that jugaad (creative innovation) or, even better, the eponymous ‘Indian rope trick’ would ‘mesmerise’ the US, the European Union and other sanctioning countries into indulging Delhi in its endeavours to maintain its military commerce with Russia, unhindered. Resorting to financial jugaad, much like what the IAF attains on its many platforms, however, does not appear to be an option for India to sidestep sanctions. According to New York-based finance website ‘Investopedia‘, sanctions by countries or organisations “provide a policy tool short of military force for punishing or forestalling objectionable actions”. It goes on to state that sanctions could prove costly to their targets, or simply put, that attempting any sanctions-busting ploy could prove detrimental, not only to Russia as the seller of embargoed goods, but also to India as the their buyer. It also appears that Air Marshal Singh was in denial over the IAF’s own and the Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) reiteration of Russian equipment spares shortages, which have adversely impacted not only the IAF, but India’s entire military, for decades. Over 50% of all Indian materiel is of Soviet or Russian origin, necessitating Moscow’s sustained assistance for its maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) and, in some instances, even its upgrade. However, these spares paucities and continually delayed MROs had persisted even during what many officers called the ‘good years’ of India-Russia ties, and were routinely highlighted by innumerable parliamentary defence committees and Comptroller & Auditor General (CAG) audits. But under the recent sanctions imposed on all Russian military and related entities, the never-ending problem of India obtaining Russian spares, despite Air Marshal Singh’s confidence, promises only to get much worse, if acquisition does not cease altogether. “It (spares shortages) is a critical issue for the IAF and one that is getting more difficult by the day, in a situation unlikely to right itself for several years,” said military analyst Air Marshal V. K. ‘Jimmy’ Bhatia (retired). The sanctions on Russia, the former fighter pilot warned, will prove a damaging handicap in keeping the IAF’s Russian platforms operational and could even force it to resort to unsuitable ‘grey market’ component purchases to make-up goods shortfalls. Former Indian Navy Chief of Staff, Admiral Arun Prakash, goes an apocalyptic step further. “Harsh sanctions on Russia could eventually result in the Indian military being virtually disarmed due to equipment and spares shortages,” he ominously warned, blaming Indian officialdom for the impending materiel quagmire that looms over the country’s armed forces. “Indian politicians,” the former naval chief said, “were seemingly indifferent to this crisis; the bureaucracy uncomprehending and the scientists from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) were never held accountable for their inability to deliver competent weapon systems on time.” The IAF presently operates over 410 Soviet and Russian fighters that comprise a mix of imported and licence-built platforms. These included around 14 ‘Flanker’ Su30MKI squadrons of around 260 fighters that constitute the IAFs ‘sword arm’; five ‘Fishbed’ MiG-21 ‘Bis’ ground attack squadrons accounting for some 90-odd aircraft; and five ’Fulcrum’ MiG-29 (UPG) air superiority squadrons, comprising 60-odd platforms, including eight dual-seat trainers. All of these are unanimously dependant on Russian spares and components, whose availability has always been uncertain, despite many of them having been constructed locally by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) under a transfer of Russian technology. In turn, these shortages resulted in low operational availability of the IAF’s Russian fighters and assorted transport and rotary platforms. In a revelatory declaration in Parliament in December, 2015, the MoD had stated that the operational availability of the IAFs combat fleet was barely 55%, due primarily to the unavailability of spares even then. Little has changed in the intervening seven years. This parliamentary disclosure signified that merely around 350 of the 700 predominantly Russian combat aircraft in service at the time many of which have since been retired –were available at any given time to undertake operations. Furthermore, the MoD pointedly stated that between 15-20% of Russian-origin fighters were “aircraft on ground (AOG) due to a shortage of spares’ and that even the operational availability of the IAF’s frontline Su-30MKI’s was a dismal 50%. Thereafter, the Su-30MKI’s availability climbed to around 60%, but the perennial spares problem for even this advanced, multi-role aircraft and the twin-engine MiG-29s, featured prominently in Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s discussions with Russian officials in Moscow in mid-2020. Ironically, this was three years after HAL had signed two agreements with Russia for long-term maintenance and spares support for the IAFs Su-30MKI fleet. The two five-year agreements, worth an estimated $300 million, were aimed at providing the swift delivery of some 57,000 Su-30MKI spares, local licensed manufacturing of some components and a logistics hub for the advanced fighters in Bangalore, where HAL builds them. But IAF sources said little had been achieved thereafter. “The usual promises were made (by Rajnath Singh in Moscow) and protocols signed like earlier, but the situation on the ground simply did not alter,” a retired three-star IAF officer had declared at the time, declining to be named. The operational serviceability of fighters, he lamented, remained a chronic problem for the IAF and one that appeared difficult to overcome, due primarily to the spares shortage. Under the present sanctions regime, the same officer declared, this would only worsen, as Russia would seek to manufacture equipment for itself, rather than hand-hold India’s military by shipping it spares. In August 2017, the CAG had severely indicted the IAF for ‘low’ serviceability and ‘poor’ availability of its Ilyushin Il-76 ‘Candid’ transport aircraft fleet and Il-78 ‘Midas’ mid-air tankers that were adversely impacting the force’s operational efficiency, due to its inability to source spares from Russia. The CAG divulged that the average availability of the IAF’s 14 Il-76’s from 2010-16 was just 38%, while that of its six Il-78’s for the same period was 49%; significantly lower than the ‘desired’ 70% serviceability levels. Besides, the avionics of both platforms dated back to 1985, due to which they were “not permitted to operate in international flying corridors,” the CAG had stated. This also resulted in the entire Indian military, including the IAF, obtaining spares of dubious quality from the open market which, in some instances, even led to equipment failures, for which accountability was rarely apportioned. Notwithstanding Air Marshal Singh’s bluster over the IAFs uninterrupted military trade with Russia resuming imminently, he does also not seem to take into account the dual Swords of Damocles of sanctions that hang over the force, which also include the US’s Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). This 2017 Act, that followed Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and Moscow’s alleged interference in the US elections two years later, directly threatens the IAFs recent deployment of the first of five S-400 Almaz-Antey S-400 Triunf self-propelled surface-to-air missile systems that India had acquired in late 2018 for $5.5 billion. So far, CAATSA has been invoked against China and Turkey for installing S-400 systems, but not against Delhi, which appears to have been (for now) accorded a silent waiver by Washington. Perhaps in this instance, too, India’s military, especially the IAF, and its political and bureaucratic establishment are quietly banking on managing these calamities collectively, via jugaad or the rope trick, or possibly, even both. https://thewire.in/security/us-sanctions-against-russia-could-land-india-in-a-serious-spot-over-materiel-upkeep
Kashmir
Update 169 Week , Feb 21 2022 to Feb 27,30 , 2022
1
Hindu chief minister for
Kashmir ; Feb 22 2022 ; The plan is to rig
the elections through a politically oriented redrawing of constituencies, throw
up a Hindu chief minister in this Muslim-majority Kashmir, replicate the BJP,
more precisely Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s agenda at the centre, instal Hindu
raj in Muslim Kashmir and recast its polity radically. Simultaneously, with the
abrogation of Article 370 of the constitution proving illusory the guarantees
of Kashmir’s autonomy, the government of India set up, strangely enough, a
delimitation commission headed by a retired judge of the Bombay High Court,
Ranjana Prakash Desai, with no background or any knowledge of Jammu &
Kashmir, its history, geography or politics. The commission has five associate
members. Three are from Dr Farooq Abdullah’s National Conference including
retired justice Hasnain Masoodi. Two others are from the BJP. Dr Farooq
Abdullah and Mohammed Akbar Lone are the other two members of the NC. The BJP’s
two members include the viciously anti-Kashmir BJP leader of Jammu, now central
minister in the prime minister’s office, Dr Jitendra Singh and Jugal Kishore
Sharma. Reports have it that this hand-picked commission will increase Jammu’s
seats at the expense of Kashmir’s seats. The commission’s term expires on March
6. The NC is clueless about the commission’s odd ways of working despite its
three associate members. “We don’t have any information, be it the case of its
likely extension or its decision to share its interim report with its associate
members shortly before putting it in the public domain, or for that matter any
recommendation to increase Lok Sabha seats. Whatever we have come to know about
it, it is through media reports like anyone else and not officially or through
the commission by any means. Journalist friends deliberated on it. But we, as
associate members, did not get any kind of information other than these inputs
from journalists,” said Masoodi. He said, “Even after National Conference
associate members submitted their objection to the commission’s draft
recommendations, we did not get any response from it. We did not get any
information — neither verbally nor in writing”. Masoodi is an associate
member. The BJP will make good capital
of it in the 2024 general elections. There is only one politician who might
have led a revolt. But he cannot for reasons political and personal. He is Dr
Farooq Abdullah, though he is battling for political survival. He is
heading the only party with a mass base in both Kashmir and Jammu. He led
others in 2019 to draw up the Gupkar Declaration. The biggest challenge he will
face will be the next assembly election. A lot depends on Mehbooba Mufti. Will
she cooperate with him? The Jama Masjid in Srinagar has been closed for two and
a half years. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has been under house arrest all this while.
It is well known that his moderation was stifled by the arrogant extremism of
Sayed Ali Shah Geelani. The result is that Umar Farooq could not take any
constructive initiative. He has met the prime ministers of India at least twice.
Except for his family members and staff, none can enter his house. He cannot
offer his prayers in the mosque. The people miss his Friday sermons. He is a
man of impeccable integrity and great courtesy. He is uniquely qualified to
speak on behalf of the people yet he has been kept under house arrest. Amnesty
International and Human Rights Watch should urge the government of India to
release him. https://www.dawn.com/news/1675892/kashmirs-fate
2 Rape in Indian Occupied Kashmir; Feb 24 2022; In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, justice continues to elude the victims of Kunanposhpora mass rape despite the passing of over three decades. Indian troops gang-raped around 100 Kashmiri women of all ages from eight year-old girls to eighty years old women during a cordon and search operation in Kunanposhpora area of Kupwara district on the night of February 23, 1991. Thirty one years have passed since the Kunanposhpora mass rape occurred but the victims are still awaiting justice while the troops involved in heinous crime are roaming free, said a report released by Kashmir Media Service, today, on the completion of thirty one years to the tragic incident. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/02/23/31-years-on-justice-continues-to-elude-victims-of-kunanposhpora-mass-rape.html
Kashmir
Update 168; Week , Feb 14 2022 to Feb 20,30 , 2022
1
Arundhati Roy
;February 13 2022: The
Booker-winning author says the present situation in India is “extremely
depressing” but she believes there are signs that the Indian people are
climbing out of the hole they’ve fallen into. In an interview to renowned
Indian journalist, Karan Thapar, Arundhati Roy said, ‘Amidst the confusion,
chaos and cacophony of Indian politics, what sort of country are we becoming?’
Arundhati Roy says Hindu nationalism could break India into little pieces, as
has happened earlier with Yugoslavia and Russia, but adds that ultimately the
Indian people will resist what she calls Narendra Modi and the BJP’s fascism.
She raised two sets of critical questions. First, she asked: “What have we done
to democracy? What have we turned it into? What happens…when it has been hollowed
out and emptied of meaning? What happens when each of its institutions has
metastasised into something dangerous?” The second set of questions is to do
with the sort of country we’ve become. “Over the last five years, India has
distinguished itself as a lynching nation. Muslims and Dalits have been
publicly flogged and beaten to death by vigilante Hindu mobs in broad-daylight,
and the ‘lynch videos’ then gleefully uploaded to YouTube.” Even more
importantly she says, “The infrastructure of fascism is staring us in the
face…and yet we hesitate to call it by its name”. In the interview, Roy also
spoke about Kashmir. She explains what she meant when in her recent Jonathan
Schell Memorial Lecture she says of the Kashmiri people: “Why should they want
to be a part of India? For what earthly reason? If freedom is what they want,
freedom is what they should have.” Roy also explains the way she sees the
relationship between Kashmir and the rest of India when she says: “Kashmir may
not defeat India, but it will consume India”. This opinion is also echoed by
one of the characters in her book The Ministry of Utmost Happiness, Musa Yeswi,
who says something very similar. “One day Kashmir will make India self-destruct
in the same way…You’re not destroying us, you are constructing us. It’s
yourselves that you are destroying.” When asked if her point is that the bell
that tolls in Kashmir is actually tolling for India, Arundhati Roy clearly
agreed and explains why. She says the way India’s values, principles, constitutional
commitments are being undermined by its behaviour in Kashmir will eventually
corrode and consume India itself.
https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/02/13/the-way-india-treating-kashmir-will-eventually-corrode-and-consume-itself-arundhati-roy.html
2
J&K leaders irked by deletion of Assembly seats named after historical figures; Feb 16 2022; From
Gandhi Nagar in Jammu to Habba Kadal in Kashmir, the J&K
Delimitation Commission’s proposal to delete the names of 19
Assembly constituencies, including those with historically important names, has
infuriated the regional leaders in the Union Territory (UT), who described it
as “an assault on J&K’s history”. Shameema Firdous, a three time MLA from Srinagar’s Habba Kadal
constituency, said she was anguished to see the name of Habba Kadal removed in
the Commission draft proposal and merged into three other constituencies. “It’s a fact that Habba
Khatoon was a revered queen and poetess from Kashmir, and wife of Kashmiri king
Yousuf Shah Chak. The constituency was named after her. She represented
Kashmir’s culture, tradition and literature. Removing her name is an open
assault on our history and an attempt to decimate our collective sense of past.
It seems there is a move to take our new generation away from the icons of
Kashmir by renaming these constituencies,” Firdous told The Hindu. Another prominent name
removed from Srinagar is Amira Kadal, named after Afghan governor Amir Khan
Jawan Sher who built the iconic Shergari Fort and restored the Sona Lank canal
and set up an irrigation system in place. The National Conference, in its formal response to the
delimitation panel on Monday, also highlighted the removal of the name of the
Amir Kadal constituency, and termed it as “an attempt to obliterate history”. Qazigund, also known as
the Gateway of Kashmir and home to the Valley’s first tunnel named after
Jawaharlal Nehru, has also been removed from the electoral map. In Jammu, there is anger
over the removal of the name of Gandhiji. “The BJP is not able to tolerate the icons followed by the
Congress party. It was no surprise that a constituency named Gandhi Nagar was
removed and instead named as Jammu East, Jammu West, etc. Similarly, Gulabgarh
named after Dogra Maharaja Gulab Singh, who founded the state of J&K, has
been removed. The delimitation exercise is faulty to the extent that it has put
a tail where the head should be,” Mission Statehood president Sunil Dimple
said. The Hindu
3
Dr Fai on Kashmir;
Feb 18 2022; The Chairman of Washington-based World Forum for Peace and
Justice (WFPJ), Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai, has said that justice is not a vocation for
the weak-hearted, whether in Palestine, Myanmar, Kashmir or elsewhere. Dr
Ghulam Nabi Fai addressing an international conference, “Human Rights
Violations Faced by the Muslims,” in Istanbul, Turkey, said it is a historical
fact that the Kashmir question is one of the oldest unresolved international
problems in the world. The conference was jointly sponsored by the Government
of Turkey in cooperation with Independent Permanent Commission of Human Rights
(IPCHR) of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and was addressed
among others by Mevlut Cavusoglu, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Turkey;
Professor (Dr) Mustafa Sentop, Speaker, Grand Assembly of Turkey; Yakup Mogul,
Deputy Minister of Justice, Turkey; Daniel Holtgen, Spokesperson for the
Secretary General of Council of Europe; and many others. The other panelists of
the session in which Dr Fai participated included: Ambassador Shabbir Ahmad
Chowdhury, Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangladesh; El Habib
Bourane, Director, Muslim Communities and Minorities, OIC; Dr Reza Uddin,
Council member, Arakan Rohingya Union; Ambassador Zamir Akram, Former
Pakistan’s Representative to the UN in Geneva; Dr Hassan A. Abdein, Associate
Editor, Muslim Minorities, Oxford, UK. The theme of this session was, “The
Situation of Muslims in Asia.” Dr Fai said it is worth mentioning that when the
Kashmir dispute erupted in 1947-1948, the United States championed the stand
that the future status of Kashmir must be ascertained in accordance with the
wishes and aspirations of the people of the territory. The United States was
the principal sponsor of the resolution # 47 which was adopted by the Security
Council on 21 April 1948, and which was based on that unchallenged principle,
he added. Dr Fai cited the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
(UNHCHR) Report on the Situation of Human Rights in Kashmir issued on June 14,
2018 which contains graphic documentation of human rights violations being
committed by the Indian military and paramilitary forces in Indian illegally
occupied Jammu and Kashmir. This was a significant step towards greater
international recognition of the serious abuses committed against the Kashmiris
by the Indian army. This report takes the veil of secrecy off of India’s crimes
against humanity, he maintained. The report, Dr Fai said, cites specific
incidents where the Indian government violated the very principles of human
decency and democratic freedom against the people of Kashmir. It also details
many instances where the use of draconian laws has given a sense of total
impunity to the Indian Army in Kashmir. The report, he said, underscored that
“Impunity for enforced or involuntary disappearances in Kashmir continues as
there has been little movement towards credibly investigating complaints
including into alleged sites of mass graves in the Kashmir Valley and Jammu
region.” The United Nations report suggested that [As a State party to the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which prohibits torture
under any circumstances (Article 7), India is obliged to ensure that no person
is “subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment”.
There have long been persistent claims of torture by security forces in
Kashmir.] The UN report qoutes ‘the Special Rapporteur on violence against
women, its causes and consequences,’ who said, “[W]omen living in militarized
regions, such as Jammu and Kashmir and the north-eastern states, live in a
constant state of siege and surveillance, whether in their homes or in public.”
Since, August 05, 2019, the Indian government, in order to crush any resistance
to its illegal occupation, has instituted new draconian measures. In a ruthless
campaign they imprisoned politicians, journalists, and civil society members,
to intimidate and suppress any form of dissent. The enactment of Domicile Law
was designed to change the demography of Kashmir. It is reported that over 4
million Domicile certificates have been issued to grant non-Kashmiris right to
buy land and compete for local jobs which is a clear violation of International
Law since it unilaterally changes the United Nations-recognized status of Jammu
and Kashmir. Dr Fai added that the latest actions taken by India’s National
Investigation Agency (NIA) are politically motivated and are part of the Indian
government’s attempt to censor peaceful Kashmiri voices. The Unlawful Activity
(Prevention) Act (UAPA) has been used countless times to harass, assault and
imprison activists, political leaders and journalists who aim to expose the
human rights violations committed by Indian forces. Latest victim is Khurram
Parvez, one of the internationally known human rights activists, who was
detained under UAPA. Ms Mary Lawlor, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights
Defenders said on November 23, 2021, that ‘he (Khurram Parvez) is not a
terrorist, he is a human rights defender’. De Fai made the following
suggestions to the IPHRC: Given the reports, issued by the United Nations High
Commissioner on Human Rights on June 14, 2018 and July 8, 2019, regarding the
‘Situation in Kashmir’, we would like to request the OIC members of the Human
Rights Council to endorse this report and initiate a joint OIC resolution to
set up an enquiry commission on human rights violations in Kashmir during the
forthcoming session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva to be held between
February 28 to April 01, 2022. Widely use and disseminate testimony of Dr
Gregory Stanton, Chairman, ‘Genocide Watch’, which he gave to the United States
Congress on January 12, 2022, and repeated in his January 19, 2022, TV
interview with Karan Thapar, that ‘in India, there are the makings of a
genocide against Muslims, starting with Kashmir & Assam’. Based on this
authoritative evidence, we suggest to OIC ‘The Gambia Model’, taking Myanmar to
the ICJ (international Court of Justice) for crimes against humanity against
the Rohingya, to be followed for IIOJK as well. OIC should invoke the ‘Genocide
Convention’ in the UN General Assembly and / or Security Council. The OIC must
provide ‘safe havens’ for the Kashmiri Diaspora, especially those fleeing
oppression in occupied Kashmir – students, scholars, activists, journalists,
and business people – in OIC member states, in an institutional manner, like
opening up visas / jobs / scholarships for meritorious students, relocation
facilitation for such skilled and professional Kashmiris, for whom living in
Modi’s India has become unbearable. In the ‘battle of ideas’ for Azadi
(freedom) of Kashmiri people, the OIC must promote the 3 core causes together:
PKR (Palestine, Kashmir, Rohingya); establish a special website, combining
genocide with resistance. This has to be a sustained and coordinated
initiative, where people of conscience, both Muslim and non-Muslim scholars,
intellectuals and diplomats can play a role through various channels, including
Parliamentary Diplomacy. OIC should set up an ‘independent’ criminal court to
hear cases of specific crimes against civilian population in IIOJK. OIC should
organize a ‘digital referendum’ in occupied Kashmir eliciting wishes of the
Kashmiri people (even if only a section of the population participates); and
ask the UN General Assembly and / or Security Council to allow a representative
of the Kashmiri people (selected through ‘digital referendum’) to present the
case of Kashmir to the world community. OIC should commission to study the
danger of a nuclear conflict between Pakistan and India due to the unresolved
Kashmir dispute. OIC should establish a ‘Global Kashmir Assembly’ composed of
Kashmiri diaspora leaders from across the world. It could operate virtually;
lobby with host countries on agreed group positions / demands. OIC must
persuade the Government of India to release all political prisoners
unconditionally, including Khurram Parvez, Yasin Malik, Shabbir Shah, Masarrat
Aalam Butt, Aasiya Andrabi, and others. OIC must convince the United Nations to
persuade Government of India to rescind the Domicile Law which is designed to
change the demography of Kashmir. Finally, it is further our hope that the
policy makers of OIC member countries will look to solving the root cause of
the problem of Kashmir – the unfulfilled promise of self-determination as
guaranteed by successive United Nations Security Council resolutions.
https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/02/17/justice-not-a-vocation-for-weak-hearted-whether-in-kashmir-or-elsewhere-dr-fai.html
4
Beef
export ban; Feb 18 2022; Kuwaiti businessmen
have reportedly demanded a ban on meat exports to India, which is proving to be
too big a financial hit for India. According to reports, Arab figures who have
raised their voices against the Indian atrocities against minorities in India,
especially Muslims and Kashmiris in Indian Occupied Kashmir, have made another
big demand, creating a huge problem for India Remember, this demand has come
from influential people who have been constantly raising their voices against
the atrocities in India for the last several months. These are the Kuwaiti
influential figures that have raised their voices, not only because of their
concerns and reservations about business, but also because they have informed
the Arab world about India, who have a lot of influence in Arab society.
https://en.baaghitv.com/big-blow-to-indian-economy-ban-on-beef-exports/
5 One martyred; Feb 19 2022: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in their fresh act of state terrorism martyred one Kashmiri youth in Shopian district, today.The troops martyred the youth during a cordon and search operation in Chermarg Zainapora area of the district. Earlier, two Indian soldiers were killed in an attack in the same area. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/02/19/indian-troops-martyr-kashmiri-youth-in-shopian-2.html
Kashmir
Update 167; Week , Feb 7 2022 to Feb 13,30 , 2022
1
Delimitation
Commission ; Feb 7 2022; In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and
Kashmir, the National Conference and other political parties have slammed the
draft report of the Delimitation Commission. The NC leader, Farooq Abdullah,
denouncing the draft report of the Delimitation Commission on IIOJK, said it
defies any and all logic and no political, social and administrative reason can
justify the recommendations. Farooq Abdullah also said the party is now engaged
in formulating a detailed response to this report and also exploring other options
to challenge the entire process. He said the report was received on Friday
night and “I am in the process of reading it in detail. But from whatever I
have seen, we at the National Conference completely reject this report.” Rejecting the interim report by the Delimitation
Commission, the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party said that the
Commission instead of a constitutional body had proved itself to be as a
frontal organisation of the ruling Bhartiya Janta Party.https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/02/06/draft-report-of-delimitation-commission-on-iiojk-slammed.html
2
Fai Hails the Enthusiastic Outpourings
Behind Solidarity Day ; Feb 7, 2022; Dr.
Ghulam Nabi Fai, Chairman, Washington-based ‘World Forum for Peace &
Justice’, applauded the widespread support for the Kashmiri self‑determination
cause on Solidarity Day The participants expressing
solidarity with the people of Kashmir gathered in front of the Indian Embassy
in Washington, DC in sub-zero temperature - drew world attention to the
situation in Indian occupied territory and urged United Nations to fulfill her
promise to help resolve the lingering dispute of Kashmir. Holding
banners and placards in their hands inscribed with “Freedom For All: Freedom
for Kashmir” “WE Demand Human Rights” “Wake UP Wake UP UN WAKE UP” “Indian Army
Out of Kashmir” “India: Free Kashmir,” the participants expressed total
solidarity with the oppressed people of Jammu and Kashmir. The protest was
organized by World Kashmir Awareness Forum & ICNA/Council for Social
Justice India’s claim to be the
world’s largest democracy but its actions in Kashmir speak otherwise. Rather
than seeking to rectify its human rights record, India has legalized its
state-sponsored terror in Kashmir. The draconian laws enacted by the Government
of India in Kashmir provide the enabling environment that encourages and even
rewards human rights abuses by India’s military and paramilitary forces. These
laws, Dr. Fai stated, empower the Indian army to commit human rights atrocities
with total impunity Despite the growing
international awareness of India’s heinous crimes, India has kept on murdering
and torturing innocent civilians in Kashmir. The reports of various international
NGO’s show that the killing fields in Kashmir continue to be sown with the
blood of women, children and young boys, Fai added Mr. Antonio Guterres, the Secretary General
of the United Nations – the custodian of human rights – cannot simply stand by
and allow India to continue to kill, torture and maim the people of Kashmir in
this way. This must not stand. It is incumbent upon the United States as the
leader of the free world, to take a leadership role in resolving the Kashmir
conflict. No one else is in a position to resolve the conflict, Fai said Dr. Zahid Bukhari, Executive
Director, ICNA/Council for Social Justice said that his organization has always
supported the Kashmiri struggle for freedom against Indian occupation. We are
here today, on February 5th., to demonstrate our unwavering solidarity with
Kashmiri people who are living in the largest open prison under the Indian
military rule. The below freezing temperature of Washington, DC demands us
to focus on the following three items with our boiling energy 1- We have to use the word
“Azadi” with Kashmir so persistently that it should become the English language
word as the words “Intefada, and Insha’Allah” were accepted in the English
language 2- We
should regularly contact our elected officials on Kashmir issue at all levels —
city, county, state, and federal — including the congress members and Senators.
The main talking point should be that the Kashmir is more than a human right
issue, it is a freedom struggle for 23 million of Kashmiris. They are demanding
their self-determination right according to the UN resolutions. 3- We should
also appraise the Indian policy makers that it would be impossible for India to
become a big-league player with its continuous cruel occupation of Kashmir.
India may only achieve its dream if the Kashmiris enjoy living as free people Professor
Imtiaz Khan of World Kashmir Awareness Forum said that Indian army massacred
more than 100,000 Kashmiri civilians who were engaged in peaceful
demonstrations against Indian occupation. Thousands of Kashmiri women have been
gangraped. Over 10,000 missing persons and mass graves have been identified.
These atrocities have been intensified manifold after August 5, 2019, when
article 35 A and 370 which gave Kashmir, a special status was abrogated by
Indian parliament. Professor Khan added
that Indian army is brutalizing and terrorizing Kashmiris to instill utmost
fear so that they cannot even whisper about right of self-determination. Indian
army patrol the areas, destroy the localities if they meet even a semblance of
resistance and capture the youth whenever and wherever they find them. Indian government is changing the demographic
character of Kashmir by providing domicile certificates so that Muslim majority
character is changed. Lot of Indian Hindus and some of them armed hooligans are
taken to Kashmir and plan is to settle them there. Long-term design is to
restrict local Muslim population in ghettos, snatch their livelihood so that
they are at the mercy of these foreigners, Khan warned.Dr. Khan alerted that whole
Kashmir has been converted into a concentration camp. Any voice of dissent is
met by long-term imprisonment or even death. Thus, it is exigent for the
diaspora to disseminate these atrocious stories to world and question their
criminal silence over this important issue which has potential to jeopardize
the existence of one fifth of total human race The participants of the rally urged the
Secretary General of the United Nations to persuade India to take five steps.
1. Rescind Domicile Law which is designed to change the demography
of Kashmir; 2. Release all political prisoners, including Yasin Malik, Khurram
Parvez, Shabir Shah, Aasia Andrabi, Masarat Alam and others; 3. Repeal all
special repressive laws; 4. Restore the rights of peaceful association, assembly, and
demonstrations, and 5. Create condition to allow the people of Jammu &
Kashmir to exercise their right to self-determination.
3
Corporate
support; Feb 9 2022; Apart from Korean auto companies Hyundai and
Kia, the Pakistani branches of American MNCs Kentucky Fried Chicken and Pizza
Hut, Japanese companies Osaka batteries, Atlas Honda Limited and Isuzu D-max as
well as German pharma company Schwabe all
carried posts expressing “solidarity” with “Kashmiri brothers and sisters”, and
“praying for the liberation” on February 5th, which is marked as “Kashmir
Solidarity day” in Pakistan.
4 Islamophobia in India; Feb 12 2022; Islamophobia has taken a “most lethal form” in India, turning some 250 million Indian Muslims into a “persecuted minority”, Noam Chomsky, the world-renowned scholar, author and activist, has said. “The pathology of Islamophobia is growing throughout the West — It is taking its most lethal form in India,” Chomsky, who is also Professor Emeritus at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), said in a video message to a webinar organised by Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC) on Thursday, a Washington-based advocacy organisation. Apart from Chomsky, several other academics and activists took part in the webinar on “Worsening Hate Speech and Violence in India.” Chomsky also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s right-wing Hindu nationalist regime has sharply escalated the “crimes” in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). “The crimes in Kashmir have a long history,” he said, adding that the state is now a “brutally occupied territory and its military control in some ways is similar to occupied Palestine.” The situation in South Asia, Chomsky said, is painful in particular not because of what is happening but because of what is not happening. There is, however, hope and opportunities to solve South Asian torment but not for long, he added. Annapurna Menon, an Indian author and lecturer at the University of Westminster, urged the international community to focus on the status of press freedom in India as under the BJP government, the situation has become a cause of concern. “The situation on the ground is extremely alarming as 4 journalists have already been killed in 2022, simply for doing their job,” Menon said, adding that journalists – especially women – have been exposed to all kinds of reprisals including harassment, illegal detention, police violence and sedition charges. “The situation in IIOJK is even dire, where the journalists routinely face police questioning, ban on reporting, suspension of internet services and financial constraints in line with BJP’s recent ‘media policy’. The family of award-winning Srinagar-based photojournalist Masrat Zahra, was subjected to harassment and intimidation by the Indian Police as crackdown on the press in Indian-occupied Kashmir continues to escalate. Fahad Shah, a renowned Kashmiri journalist who is the founder and editor of ‘‘The Kashmir Walla’’, was arrested recently by the police in Pulwama under terrorism and sedition laws, Menon pointed out. Similarly, Sajjad Gul, another journalist of ‘‘The Kashmir Walla’’, was also arrested in the beginning of February 2022. John Sifton, Asia Advocacy Director at Human Rights Watch (HRW) said the greatest threat to the Indian constitution Is the promotion of majority religion by the Indian government at the expense of minorities. “The BJP and its affiliates are making hateful remarks against Muslims to gain Hindu vote around elections,” he said. The BJP government has adopted laws and policies that systematically discriminate against religious minorities and other groups and it also stigmatises its critics, the HRW official said. The government enacted the ‘Citizenship Act’ to target minorities, particularly Indian Muslims. Social media platforms such as Facebook, YouTube and Tiktok, Sifton said, had failed to control hatred spread through their platforms. The US Congress, he said, must weigh on the Indian government to convey their concerns vis-a-vis the violation of human and minority rights in India. Angana Chatterji, Indian Anthropologist and Scholar at Berkeley University, California, said prejudices embedded in the government of the ruling Hindu nationalist BJP have infiltrated independent institutions, such as the police and the courts, empowering nationalist groups to threaten, harass and attack religious minorities with impunity. “Hindu spiritual leaders are involved in the ethnic cleansing of Muslims,” she said, adding that BJP leaders and affiliated groups have long portrayed minority communities, especially Muslims, as a threat to national security and to the Hindu way of life. They had raised the bogey of “love jihad” claiming that Muslim men lure Hindu women into marriages to convert them to Islam, labelled Muslim immigrants as extremists and accused them of hurting Hindu sentiment over cow slaughter. Since Yogi Adityanath became Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh (UP) in 2017, Chatterji said the culture of violence and impunity has taken root, pointing out that UP police have carried out hundreds of extra-judicial killings of suspected criminals belonging to minorities, particularly Muslims. By the time protests against the Citizenship Amendment Bill spilled out on the streets of UP in December 2019, the police manhandled protestors, behaved in a vulgar manner with women, arrested whomsoever it wanted and framed prominent activists in criminal cases, she said. As hundreds of thousands of farmers of various faiths began protesting against the government’s new farm laws in November 2020, senior BJP leaders, their supporters on social media, and pro-government media blamed the Sikhs as ‘Khalistani terrorists’, Chatterji said. February 23, 2022 marks the two year anniversary of the communal violence in Delhi that killed 53 people, 40 of them Muslim. Harsh Mander, a former Indian civil servant and human rights activist, said that while Mahatma Gandhi upheld the principles of non-violence, the Hindu supremacist ideology is being currently being propagated by Indian leaders. “Hate crimes have increased by a thousandfold during the BJP regime,” he said. The BJP stigmatises and openly incites crimes against minorities, even Mother Teresa has been vilified. Muslims, Mander said were falsely projected as bigots, unpatriotic, Jihadis and oppressors, adding that even PM Modi follows some of the hate mongers and he refuses to denounce them. IIOJK, he said, is the most militarised region of the world. https://tribune.com.pk/story/2343096/india-has-turned-muslims-into-persecuted-minority-chomsky
Kashmir
Update 166; Week , Jan 31 2022
to Feb 6,30 , 2022
1
Five martyred; Jan 31
2022; In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in
their fresh acts of state terrorism martyred five Kashmiri youth in Pulwama and
Budgam districts. The troops martyred four youth during a cordon and search
operation in the Naira area of Pulwama district and martyred one youth during
an operation in Charar-i-Sharief area of Budgam.
https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/01/30/indian-troops-martyr-five-kashmiri-youth-in-iiojk.html
2
January human cost;
Feb 2 2022; In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in
their unabated acts of state terrorism martyred 22 Kashmiris including a
teenage boy during the last month of January. Of those killed, four youth were
martyred in a fake encounter, according to the data issued by the Research
Section of Kashmir Media Service, today. During the month, 17 youth were
critically injured due to use of brute force by Indian police and paramilitary
troops on peaceful demonstrators. During the period, Indian Army, paramilitary
Central Reserve Police force and police arrested 45 civilians, mostly political
activists, youth and students, and several of them were booked under black laws
including Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Public Safety Act. The forces’ personnel misbehaved and molested with, at
least, one female and destroyed and damaged 7 houses and structures during the
operations in the month. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/02/01/indian-troops-martyr-22-kashmiris-in-january.html
3
One martyred; Feb 02
2022: In Indian illegally
occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in their fresh act of state terrorism
martyred one Kashmiri youth in Shopian
district, today. The troops martyred the youth during a cordon and search
operation in Nadigam area of the district.
https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/02/02/93655.html
4
Fahad
Shah ; Feb 6 2022; A young Srinagar-based editor and
journalist has been arrested by Jammu and Kashmir Police for “glorifying
terrorist activities” on social media and causing “disaffection against the
country.” Fahad Shah, editor of The
Kashmir Walla, was
arrested on Friday, February 4, three days after he was questioned by police
along with three other journalists for “incorrect reporting” about a gun battle
in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district. The news of
Fahad’s arrest prompted massive outrage in Kashmir and outside. The Committee
to Protect Journalists termed the arrest
as “utter disregard for press freedom and the
fundamental right of journalists to report freely and safely” while the In a letter last year, the UN Special Rapporteur on the
promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression,
Irene Khan and Vice-Chair of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention Elina
Steinerte, raised concerns with the government of India about four Kashmir
journalists – Fahad Shah, Auqib Javeed, Sajad Gul and Qazi Shibli. Last month,
Sajad, who also works at Kashmir
Walla, was
booked under the draconian Public Safety Act for his reportage and lodged in
Kot Bhalwal jail in Jammu alongside hardened criminal International Press Institute, a consortium of editors and journalists
across the globe, demanded Fahad’s “immediate release”. https://thewire.in/media/outrage-as-jk-police-arrest-kashmir-walla-editor-for-reporting-on-pulwama-gun-battle
5 Two martyred: Feb 6 2022; In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in their fresh act of state terrorism martyred two Kashmiri youth in Srinagar, today.The troops martyred the youth during a violent cordon and search operation in Zakura area of Srinagar. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/02/05/indian-troops-martyr-two-kashmiris-in-srinagar.html
Kashmir
Update 165; Week , Jan 23 2022
to Jan,30 , 2022
1
Silence of world
powers in Kashmir not acceptable: Fai;
Washington, DC. January 25, 2022.;“The
people of Kashmir wish the people of India well. They do not consider them
their enemy. Therefore, on India’s Republic Day, Kashmiris extend their best
wishes to the people of India. Kashmiris, however, voice deep regret at the
hypocrisy of the Government of Indian of its high-minded ideals in Kashmir,
which marked its entrance into the family of nations after long years of
British rule: shocking human rights violations, ignoring the international law,
and disregard of binding UN Security Council resolutions on
self-determination,” Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Chairman, Washington-based ‘World
Forum for Peace and Justice’ said in a message on the eve of India’s Republic
Day.Indian Ministry of Defence states that “the celebration of the (Republic)
Day mark the spirit when democracy and justice were chosen to run the nation.”
That is a ludicrous statement, indeed, Fai said. Kashmir is dreadful
testimony to India's false democratic credentials. And peaceful political
dissent is made a crime. India's detentions of Yasin Malik, Shabir Shah, Masarat Alam,
Aasia Andrabi and other authentic Kashmiri political leaders besmirches India's
boast as the world's most populous democracy and insistence that its military
occupation of Kashmir is welcomed and endorsed by the Kashmiri people. within
the very heart of democracy is the constant flow of ideas, of broad public
opinion, which gives a country the strength to grow and mature through a fair
evaluation and consideration of those ideas which represent wisdom by their
inclusiveness rather than by exclusion. New York based, ‘Committee to Protect
Journalists’ described Indian government’s freedom of expression in these
words: ‘Kashmiri news media has been pushed to the brink of extinction.’
British historian, Bertrand Russell described India’s democratic credentials in
1964: “The high idealism of the Indian government in international matters
breaks down completely when confronted with the question of Kashmir.” I think
it is better, Fai added that a country like India that celebrates itself as a
secular democratic state must pay its dues to the most fundamental democratic
freedom of all, and the right of dissent. ‘Silence becomes cowardice,’ Mahatma
Gandhi said, ‘when occasion demands speaking out the whole truth and acting
accordingly.’ Fai condemned Government of India’s latest attempt to arrest
human rights activists under the draconian law: Unlawful Activities Prevention
Act (UAPA). Khurram Parvez, Dr. Asif Dar and Muzzammil Thakur are the prime
examples. Mary Lawlor, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders said
Khurram Parvez is not a terrorist, he's a human rights defender. What these
three human rights activists were saying has legal, constitutional, and
international legitimacy. They have been pleading the issue of
‘Self-determination, Freedom and Justice for Kashmir’, these are neither
secessionist nor separatist slogans. It is a reminder to those at the helm of
affairs in New Delhi that these were the very words pronounced by Pandit Nehru,
then the prime minister of India and Mahatma Gandhi, the founder of India. Does
the BJP-led government also want to lodge sedition charges posthumously against
Pandit Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi who are on record to have said that the people
of Kashmir have the right to decide the fate of their nation? The
people of Kashmir were heartened to listen again from the UN Secretary General
of the United Nations on January 21, 2022, that Kashmir issue has to be
resolved under UN Charter and applicable UN Security Council resolutions.
Secretary General added: ‘we hope that this is something that can be solved
peacefully and that the situation in Kashmir is a situation in which human
rights are respected and in which people can live in peace and security.’ I
think it is the time, Fai added that the Secretary General should listen
to Dr. Gregory H. Stanton, Founding President Genocide Watch who
warned the international community “We believe that the Indian government’s
actions in Kashmir have been an extreme case of persecution and could very well
lead to genocide.” “So many of the early stages of genocide are already
present. We don’t wait until it is a full out mass killing campaign to declare
genocide. There are early warning signs of genocide now and that’s what we
believe is the situation in Kashmir.” The only solution to the problem lies in
allowing the people of Kashmir to exercise their unrestricted right to
self-determination to decide their destiny – a pledge given to them by the
world community some 74 years ago. Fai said that it is
not rocket science. If the Kashmir question were resolved, much of the
hostility between India and Pakistan would dissolve. The region would not
be living on the edge of a nuclear holocaust. Trade between the two
countries would flourish. Jobs and meaningful lives would be created. Families
split apart the ceasefire line by the conflict could join together again. There
would be no more shelling at the ceasefire line. Those 900,000 Indian military
and paramilitary forces could go home and do something constructive instead of
beating up on women and children. What intelligent person could not agree with
that? Dr. Fai can be reached at: 1-202-607-6435 or
gnfai2003@yahoo.com
2 Republic Day ; Jan 29 2022; Expressing solidarity with the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), the Kashmiri diaspora in the United Kingdom (UK) and Europe on Wednesday observed India’s Republic Day as “Black Day”. The Kashmiri community in the UK was joined by members of the Sikh community to express solidarity with innocent Kashmiris in IIOJK, who are facing an all-out war by the occupation forces. The anti-India rally was led by Tehreek-e-Kashmir (TEK) UK President Raja Fahim Kayani and Ranjit Singh Srai. The Kashmiri diaspora and World Sikh Parliament members gathered outside Indian High Commission, London and the Indian Consulate in Birmingham. Raising pro-freedom slogans, the protesters condemned human rights violations in IIOJK and demanded that the international community break the status quo imposed by the fascist Indian regime in the occupied valley. TeK UK also held demonstrations in Nelson, Glasgow, Leeds, Bradford and Reading to remind the UN and the international community of its obligation to end the illegal Indian occupation of Kashmir. Secretary-General TeK Mian Muhammad Tayyib said that the memories and guidance given by movement's leaders Syed Ali Geelani and Muhammad Ashraf Sehrai is itched in the minds to challenge India every day over IIOJK. “We will not forget it and will continue to fight for our legitimate right to self-determination," he asserted. The TeK Europe also held a virtual conference to deliberate on the freedom movement underway in IIOJK and to mark January 26 as “Black Day”. Consul General of Pakistan in Spain Mirza Salman Babar Baig also attended the conference and reiterated Pakistan’s unflinching support to the people of IIOJK. https://tribune.com.pk/story/2340567/kashmiris-across-uk-mark-indias-republic-day-as-black-day
Kashmir
Update 164; Week , Jan 17 2022
to Jan,23 , 2022
1
War crimes in Indian-occupied
Kashmir ; Jan 20 2022; A London-based law firm filed an application with
British police on Tuesday seeking the arrest of India’s army chief and a senior
Indian government official over their alleged roles in war crimes in
Indian-occupied Kashmir (IoK). Law firm Stoke White said it submitted extensive
evidence to the Metropolitan Police’s War Crimes Unit documenting how Indian
forces headed by Gen Manoj Mukund Naravane and Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah
were responsible for the torture, kidnapping and killing of activists, journalists
and civilians. The law firm’s report was based on over
2,000 testimonies taken between 2020 and 2021. It also accused eight unnamed
senior Indian military officials of direct involvement in war crimes and
torture in IoK. “There is strong reason
to believe that Indian authorities are conducting war crimes and other violence
against civilians in Jammu and Kashmir,” the report states, referring to
territory that is part of the Himalayan region. The request to London police
was made under the principle of “universal jurisdiction” which gives countries
the authority to prosecute individuals accused of crimes against humanity
committed anywhere in the world. The international law firm in London said it
believes its application is the first time that legal action has been taken
abroad against Indian authorities over alleged war crimes in IoK. Hakan Camuz,
director of international law at Stoke White, said he hoped the report would
convince British police to open an investigation and ultimately arrest the
officials when they set foot in the UK. Some of the Indian officials have
financial assets and other links to Britain. “We are asking the UK government
to do their duty and investigate and arrest them for what they did based on the
evidence we supplied to them. We want them to be held accountable,” Camuz said.
The police application was made on behalf of the family of Zia Mustafa, a jailed
Pakistani freedom fighter whom Camuz said was the victim of an extrajudicial
killing by Indian authorities in 2021, and on the behalf of human rights
campaigner Muhammad Ahsan Untoo, who was allegedly tortured before his arrest
last week. The law firm’s investigation suggested that the abuse has worsened
during the coronavirus pandemic. Its report also included details about the arrest of Khurram Parvez,
the region’s most prominent rights activist, by India’s counterterrorism
authorities last year. Parvez, 42, worked for the Jammu and Kashmir Coalition
of Civil Society, which has written extensive reports about Indian troops’ use
of violence and torture. Other accounts in the report discuss journalist Sajad
Gul, who was arrested earlier this month after he posted a video of family
members and relatives protesting the killing of a freedom commander. Human
rights lawyers have increasingly used the universal jurisdiction principle to
seek justice for people who were unable to file criminal complaints in their
home countries or with the International Criminal Court, located in The
Hague. Camuz said he hoped the request
to British police seeking the arrest of Indian officials will be followed by
other legal actions also focusing on IoK. “We are sure this is not going to be
the last one, there will probably be many more applications,” he said. https://www.dawn.com/news/1670335/uk-police-asked-to-probe-indian-officials-alleged-war-crimes-in-occupied-kashmir
2
Stoke
White Investigations; India's War Crimes in Kashmir: Violence, Dissent and the
War on Terror; Jan 20 2022; A selection of
new and detailed evidence gathered from over 2000 testimonies offered by
civilians forms the basis of our report into human rights abuses by India in
Jammu and Kashmir, including torture, extrajudicial killings, and the detention
of minors. Although the violence inflicted on
Kashmiri Muslims by the Indian army has been well documented, this report
provides new evidence-based insights into the extent of the abuse based on 2000
testimonies gathered over one year. The report forms the basis of an appeal to
the UK Metropolitan Police unit for the arrest of perpetrators of violence
against civilians in this context. Within the framework of the Global War on
Terror and counterterrorism, acts of abuse are directed against those Muslims
dissenting against Indian occupation by conducting legitimate protest, seeking
legal recourse through the law, and embarking on peaceful civil society
advocacy. These individuals, and those who are
uninvolved in any of the above activities but who have been swept up as
innocent bystanders, feature as the subjects of this report. Of particular
concern is the kidnapping at age 15 of Zia Mustapha and his 18-year detention
without charge that culminated in his extrajudicial killing, as well as the
torture of human rights defender Mohammed Ahsan Untoo. This report also
provides unique evidence of the presence of Israeli intelligence operatives
during interrogations and torture of Muslims in Jammu and Kashmir. Indeed, the
culture of impunity in the region has been enabled by a global environment in
which torture has become acceptable under Western complicity. Nearly three
decades have passed and not a single member of the Indian military has been
prosecuted, despite growing evidence of unlawful conduct. It is hoped this documentation
will start a process of accountability and justice for survivors, through a
more appropriate and rigorous implementation of international human rights law.
https://www.swiunit.com/post/india-s-war-crimes-in-kashmir-violence-dissent-and-the-war-on-terror
3
Zia Mustafa’s extra-judicial killing ; Jan 22 2022; The Legal Forum for Kashmir (LFK) has launched a
comprehensive dossier on Zia Mustafa’s extra-judicial execution in a staged
encounter at Poonch in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). According
to the dossier, 15-year-old Zia from Rawalakot in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK)
inadvertently crossed the Line of Control (LoC) on January 13, 2003, and was
arrested by Indian occupying forces. The family members of Zia lodged a missing
report before the relevant police station. The army and IIOJK police, led
by the then Director General of Police A K Suri, gave a joint press conference
to the Indian media on April 11, 2003, projecting and presenting Zia as a
"foreign militant", allegedly involved in the so-called terror
incident. However, the dossier reported that Zia was a minor when he crossed
the border unknowingly and later, was falsely implicated in militancy by the
Indian forces and agencies. The report further stated that the trial court in
Shopian in IIOJK framed charges against Zia under Sections 302, 120b, 450, 395,
of IPC; 7/27 PACT; 2/3 IMCO. However, the state out of prosecution witnesses
failed to produce a single piece of evidence against Zia. Accordingly, the
court closed the prosecution evidence. The state of IIOJK filed a criminal
appeal before the occupied region's high court, which was meritless and
accordingly dismissed by the court. The state again approached the Supreme
Court of India and filed a criminal appeal 39899/2018 with the condonation of
delay application which was still pending. Zia’s lawyer Mubashir Gattoo, while
talking to local media, said that there was no evidence for his conviction. The
dossier highlighted the extra-judicial execution of an under trial who was in
judicial custody when the joint counter-insurgent group including the Indian
army without following the mandate of law took Zia outside the jail and killed
him in a staged encounter. The dossier
also revealed the important documents showing Zia, a minor boy, at the date of
his arrest. Moreover, the prisoners' list exchanged by the foreign offices
listed Zia as an undertrial prisoner. It highlighted the 111 fake encounters
and the alleged perpetrators involved in these war crimes. The LFK held a roundtable
debate inviting law experts and key stakeholders on the ‘universal
jurisdiction’ case submitted before the metropolitan war crime unit in the
United Kingdom. Hakan Camuz said that he hoped that the request to British
police seeking the arrest of Indian officials would be followed by other legal
actions also focusing on Kashmir. He added that Stoke White was sure that it
was not going to be the last one, there would probably be many more
applications. Towards the end, Executive Director Nasir Qadri said, "This
is the beginning of lawfare against the occupier and his organisation would
further pursue the war crime cases to different available forums so that the
perpetrators involved were apprehended for their crimes." https://tribune.com.pk/story/2339777/lawsuit-filed-against-modi-others-in-uk-for-kashmiris-extra-judicial-killing
4 Two martyred; Jan 23 2022; In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in their fresh act of state terrorism martyred two Kashmiri youth in South Kashmir’s Shopian district, today Jan 2 2022). The troops martyred the youth during a cordon and search operation in the Kilbal area of the district. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/01/22/indian-troops-launch-caso-in-shopian-5.html
Kashmir
Update 163; Week , Jan 10 2022
to Jan,16 , 2022
1
Journalist
detained; Jan 9 2022; The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists asked
Indian authorities to immediately release a journalist in disputed Kashmir,
days after police arrested him for uploading a video clip of a protest against
Indian rule.The media watchdog on Saturday said it was “deeply disturbed” by
the arrest of Sajad Gul, an independent journalist and media student. It wrote
on Twitter it was asking Indian authorities to “drop their investigation
related to his journalistic work.” Indian soldiers picked up Gul from his home
in northeastern Shahgund village on Wednesday night and later handed him over
to the police, his family said. He had posted a video of family members and
relatives protesting the killing of a rebel commander on Monday. Initially,
police said he would be released but on Friday, his family was told that a
formal case was opened against Gul on charges of criminal conspiracy and
working against national integration. If convicted, he faces life imprisonment
or even death penalty. Journalists have increasingly voiced concerns about
harassment and threats by the police that have effectively restricted reporting
after India revoked Kashmir’s semi-autonomy and divided the region into two
federally governed territories in 2019. Many journalists have been arrested,
beaten, harassed and sometimes investigated under antiterrorism laws. Fearing
reprisals from government agencies, most of the local press has wilted under
pressure. Journalists have also come under scrutiny through anonymous online
threats the government says are linked to rebels fighting against Indian rule.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/media-group-asks-india-to-release-kashmiri-journalist/2022/01/08/fce3ada6-7076-11ec-b1e2-0539da8f4451_story.html
2
Repeal
of AFSPA ; Jan 11 2022; Hundreds of Nagas from
different walks of life on Monday joined the two-day walkathon from Nagaland's
commercial hub Dimapur to state capital Kohima, a distance of about 75 km, demanding the repeal of AFSPA and justice for the
14 civilians who were killed by security forces in
Mon district. The walkathon, which stemmed out of social media posts following
the Mon killings, gained the support of various tribal bodies and civil society
organizations in the state.
3
One martyred; Jan 13
2022: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in
their fresh act of state terrorism, martyred one Kashmiri youth and injured
many civilians in Kulgam district. The killing and injuries took place when
Indian Army soldiers along with personnel of and paramilitary Central Reserve
Police Force and Special Operation Group during a cordon and search operation
in Pariwan area of the district, late night.
https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/01/13/indian-troops-martyr-one-youth-in-kulgam.html
4
WKAF Condemns the Charges
Against Political Activist Dr. Asif Dar and Mr Muzzammil Thakur by NIA of India; Washington, DC (January 12,
2022) – The World Kashmir Awareness Forum
(WKAF) issued the following statement denouncing the criminal case against Kashmiri political activists Dr. Asif
Dar and Muzzammil Thakur: “We condemn the fraudulent charges made
against Dr. Asif Dar and Mr. Muzzammil Thakur by the Indian National
Intelligence Agency (NIA). Dr. Dar is one of Kashmir’s most accomplished and
peaceful activists, an anesthesiologist, and role model for Kashmiri youth.
Muzzammill Thakur is a London based human rights defender and political
activist of Kashmiri ancestry. On Thursday, January 6, Indian police registered
a case against Dr. Dar and Mr. Thakur under the Unlawful Activities Prevention
Act (UAPA), after two militants claimed to be working under their orders
following a targeted killing. Dr. Dar is known for his peaceful resistance
against India’s colonialist occupation of Jammu & Kashmir and he remains a
fearless supporter of Kashmiris’ efforts to secure the right to
self-determination. Mr. Thakur is a youthful and articulate public speaker on
Kashmiris’ right to self-determination with a large diaspora following on
social media. Such baseless claims made by the Indian government are used to
suppress the indigenous population’s free speech and activists’ efforts to
relieve Kashmir from foreign occupation. Actions taken by the NIA are
politically motivated and are part of the Indian government’s attempt to censor
peaceful Kashmiri voices. The UAPA has been used countless times to harass,
assault and imprison activists, political leaders and journalists who aim to
expose the human rights violations committed by Indian forces. As human rights
violations against the people of Jammu & Kashmir continue, it is important
for activists like Dr. Dar and Muzzammil Thakur to continue to expose the atrocities committed by Indian forces to
the rest of the world. We stand in fierce opposition to India’s
actions against Dr. Dar, Mr. Thakur and the people of Kashmir. We condemn
any restriction of free speech and expression throughout the region. It is
imperative we stop the Indian government’s attack on free speech in Kashmir and
we urge the United Nations and international community to ensure that rights
activists, political leaders, and local journalists are not forcibly silenced
for speaking the truth. Dr. Dar's and Mr. Thakur’s passion for resistance
against the occupation continues to be an inspiration for Kashmiri youth and
resistance activists. On behalf of Kashmiris, domestic and abroad we demand
that all charges against Dr. Dar and Muzzammil Thakur are dropped and the
Indian government is held accountable for another unjustified case of
censorship and imprisonment under the UAPA.”
5
Human Rights Watch ; Jan 14 2022;The failure of
democratic leaders to effectively champion democratic values and rights is
enabling the rise of autocrats worldwide, Human Rights Watch's outspoken head
told AFP in an interview. There is a dire need for democratically-elected
leaders to show bold and principled leadership in the face of global challenges
like Covid and as anxiety over looming climate disaster grows, Kenneth Roth
argued.“Our fear is that if democratic leaders don't rise to the occasion (and)
demonstrate the kind of visionary leadership that is called for today, they are
going to generate the sort of despair and frustration that are fertile grounds
for the autocrats,” the HRW executive director said. And indeed, it would
appear that autocracy is on the rise. HRW's more than 750-page annual report on
rights abuses around the world, published Thursday, details intensifying
crackdowns on opposition voices in places like China, Russia, Belarus and
Egypt. It also highlights several recent military coups, including in Myanmar
and Sudan, and the emergence of leaders with autocratic tendencies in countries
once or still considered democracies, such as Hungary, Poland, Brazil, India,
and until last year, the United States.
“https://www.dawn.com/news/1669197/democratic-leaders-must-do-more-to-counter-rise-of-autocrats-human-rights-watch
6
China and Bhutan ; Jan 13 2022;China has
accelerated settlement-building along its disputed border with Bhutan, with
more than 200 structures, including two-storey buildings, under construction in
six locations, according to satellite image analysis conducted
for Reuters. The images and analysis supplied to Reuters by US
data analytics firm HawkEye 360, which uses satellites to gather intelligence
on ground-level activities, and vetted by two other experts, provide a detailed
look into China's recent construction along its frontier with Bhutan.
Construction-related activity in some of the locations along Bhutan's western
border has been under way since early 2020, with China initially building
tracks and clearing out areas, based on material provided by satellite imagery
firms Capella Space and Planet Labs, said Chris Biggers, the mission
applications director at HawkEye 360. Images show the work speeded up in 2021.
Smaller structures were erected — possibly to house equipment and supplies —
followed by the laying of foundations and then the construction of buildings,
Biggers said. Two other experts who
studied the locations of the new construction and recent satellite images taken
by Capella Space said all six settlements appear to be in territory disputed by
China and Bhutan - including a contested tract of roughly 110 square kilometres
— with little in the way of resources or native population.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1669212/china-steps-up-construction-along-disputed-bhutan-border-satellite-images-show
7 India and China talks; Jan 14 2022; The military talks between India and China have yet again failed as 14th round of dialogue between the two countries on Wednesday did not yield any ‘positive’ result. However, both countries decide to work towards mutually acceptable solutions to resolving the Ladakh Line of Actual Control (LAC) stand-off. The next round is expected to be held soon, reports said. https://freepresskashmir.news/2022/01/13/14th-round-of-india-china-military-talks-yield-no-positive-result-says-report/
Kashmir
Update 162: Week , Jan 3 2022 to Jan,9 , 2022
1
Lee Rhiannon on
Kashmir; Jan 3 2022; former Senator of Australia and human rights activist Lee
Rhiannon on Sunday said 2022 must be the year when the world will speak out for
the Kashmiris. In a video message, she said, ” I support the global struggle
for Kashmiris’ self determination.” “In 2022 let us unite our efforts to ensure
justice for Kashmiris, for the withdrawal of Indian troops from the Indian
Occupied Kashmir, for the release of all political prisoners and an end to
human rights violations,” she added. 2022 must be the year when the world
speaks out for the Kashmiris,” she added.
https://www.app.com.pk/national/former-australian-senator-calls-for-unified-efforts-to-ensure-justice-for-kashmiris/
2
Two martyred; Jan 03
2022: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in
their fresh act of state terrorism martyred two more Kashmiri youth in
Srinagar, today. The youth were martyred by the Indian troops during a cordon
and search operation in Shalimar area of the city.
https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/01/03/indian-troops-martyr-two-more-youth-in-srinagar.html
3
Two martyred; Jan 05
2022: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in
their fresh act of state terrorism, martyred two more Kashmiri youth in Kulgam
district, today (Jan
04 2022).The youth were martyred by Indian troops during a cordon and
search operation jointly launched by Indian Army, Central Reserve Police Force
and Police in Okey area of the district.
https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/01/04/indian-troops-martyr-one-more-youth-in-kulgam.html
4 Three martyred; Jan 8 2022; In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in their fresh act of state terrorism martyred three Kashmiri youth in Badgam district, today. The troops martyred the youth during a cordon and search operation in Chadoora area of the district. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/01/07/indian-troops-martyr-three-kashmiri-youth-in-budgam.html
Kashmir
Update 161: Week , Dec 27 2021 to Jan,2 , 2022
1
Book; Dec 27 2021;
Bose’s latest volume, Kashmir
at the Crossroads: Inside a 21st Century Conflict (Picador,
India 2021 pinpoints the Union
government’s dismissal of Sheikh Abdullah (1953) and then his son Farooq
Abdullah (1984), the Rajiv-Farooq accord (1986) and the rigged elections (1987)
as key reasons, among others, for the insurrection emanating from “four decades
of Indian policies and actions since 1950s”. The
author underlines how cautious hopes of the India-Pakistan peace process
(2003-2007) – including the Vajpayee-Musharraf and Manmohan Singh-Musharraf
4-point Kashmir formula – which ran aground by the time of 26/11 Mumbai terror
attack, gave place to a new phase of uprising wherein the youth pelting stones
replaced the gun yielding insurgent. In this stone-bullet conversation, the
state’s employment of pellet guns against agitators, especially during 2016,
ignited even greater anger and alienation. Scores of citizens turned blind and
over a thousand suffered eye injuries. In a pointed and chilling critique, Bose
denounces “brutalisation of local society, particularly in the Valley. Entire
generation has grown up and come of age in an environment of repression and
violence…Despite the sharp decline of insurgency to negligible levels, the
Valley remains a police state. The new generation is unwilling to put up with
such a situation.” People chafe at the denial of everyday freedoms and civil
liberties and also a media policy that makes “journalists and news
organisations answerable not to their readers but to government bureaucrats and
security officials with power to decide what news is fake or anti-national”.
Driven by its decades-old ideological imperatives and an iron-fist Kashmir
policy, the Union government, in a ‘brazenly unilaterist’ move, read down
Article 370 and Article 35A and divided the state into two Union Territories of
Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh in August 2019. A heartless communications and
movement clampdown in the state, additional induction of tens of thousands of
security personnel and incarceration of political leadership across a
wide spectrum preceded the ruling dispensation’s pitiless initiative. Bose
convincingly reasons, “Erasure of the state from the political map of India was
a very deliberate act calculated to degrade the sense of self of the liquidated
state’s people, and represents a much deeper cut than the revocation of
hollowed out shell of Article 370.” A deep sense of anger, alienation and
betrayal among people in the Valley is palpable. They strongly believe that
Kashmir is a political problem that requires a political solution, and without
a political resolution death and destruction would visit the Valley with
increasing frequency. Sustained peace and stability have evaded four
generations of Kashmir and each one tells its story. As to the dozens of
petitions pending in the Supreme Court for over two years, he observes in jest
that “divine intervention was more likely than judicial intervention”. Today
people of Jammu, Leh and Kargil are also substantively embittered: Jammuites
fear loss of their land and jobs to outsiders, while people in Leh and Kargil
lament that their local government has been rendered ineffectual. The author
reminds us that China has always lurked in the background of the India-Pakistan
Kashmir conflict. But following India’s drastic August 2019 Kashmir actions, it
expressed serious concerns on this change of status quo exacerbating tensions
and undermining China’s territorial sovereignty. Bose quotes reports on China’s
Army blocking patrols in the Pangong Tso area within a month of creation of
Ladakh as a Union territory. He goes on to prognosticate that the “quadrilateral
geopolitics of the 21st century Kashmir conflict – India-Pakistan-China-America
– will play out not just during the tenure of the Biden administration, but
over the rest of this decade.”
https://thewire.in/books/how-the-article-370-move-india-china-tensions-and-erasure-politics-have-altered-kashmir-forever
2
Rape
; December 26 2021; In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and
Kashmir, the wheels of justice have completely collapsed one of the convicts in
the 2018 Kathua rape case was granted bail by a court in Indian Punjab. The
eight-year-old girl, Aasifa, was raped and murdered in Hiranagar area of the
Hindu-dominated Kathua district in January 2018 and the verdict in the case was
pronounced on June 10, 2019, by a court in Pathankot, Punjab, where the case was
shifted on the directives of the Indian Supreme Court. The Punjab and Haryana
High Court suspended the remaining sentence and jail term of dismissed police
sub-inspector, Anand Dutta and ordered that he be released upon furnishing
surety bonds. “Perturbed that the policeman convicted for destroying evidence
in Kathua rape case was granted bail and his jail term suspended. When a child
raped and bludgeoned to death is deprived of justice, it becomes obvious that
the wheels of justice have completely collapsed,” she tweeted. Anand Dutta has already undergone more than half of
the sentence awarded to him, while the sentence of co-accused Tilak Raj was
also suspended on December 16 by the Punjab and Haryana High Court. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2021/12/26/bail-to-convict-in-kathua-rape-murder-case-perturbs-mehbooba.html
3
Three martyred; Dec
30 2021: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in
their fresh act of state terrorism martyred three more Kashmiri youth in Kulgam
district, today. The youth were killed by the troops during a cordon and search
operation jointly launched by Indian army, police and Central Reserve Police
Force in Mirhama area of the district. Meanwhile, two Indian army soldiers and
a policeman were also injured in an attack in the same area. The attack was
carried out on the joint team of Indian Army, police and Central Reserve Police
Force, which was engaged in the cordon and search operation.
https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2021/12/29/indian-policeman-injured-in-attack-in-iiojk-2.html
4
Three martyred Dec 31 2021 ; In
Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in their fresh act
of state terrorism martyred three more Kashmiri youth in Islamabad district,
today (Dec 30 2021), raising the number
of slain youth to six since last night. The troops martyred the three youth
during a violent cordon and search operation in Veerinag area of the district.
Earlier, one Indian policeman was killed and two soldiers and a policeman were
injured in an attack in the same area.The troops martyred three other youth
during a similar operation in Mirhama area of Kulgam district, last night. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2021/12/30/indian-troops-martyr-three-more-youth-in-iiojk-toll-rises-to-6-since-yesterday.html
5
World attention must be focused on Kashmir ;Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai ;Dec 29, 2021; Former
UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon has said, “On Human Rights Day, I call on
States to fulfill the promises they made at the Vienna Conference.” We all know that the United Nations World Conference on Human
Rights, held in Vienna in June 1993, was a landmark event. It was stated that
the Vienna Declaration was ‘reflective of the spirit of our age and the
realities of our times’. The Vienna Declaration called upon the states to
abrogate legislation leading to impunity for those responsible for grave
violations of human rights and to prosecute the violators, thereby providing a
firm basis for rule of law. The United Nations supports an array of
human rights institutions, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and many
human rights treaties that have been adopted. These institutions and officials
collectively testify to the blossoming of human rights on the international
agenda in the past 73 years since promulgation of the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights in 1948. They also underscore the Charter obligation on all
nations to promote and protect human rights, which includes an obligation to
consider human rights implications in all bilateral and multilateral
negotiations. The basic human rights provisions
of the Geneva conventions including the ones protected under common article 3
of these conventions are also non derogable in the sense that they must be
respected even in times of international and non-international conflicts,
international disturbances and foreign occupation. The candor and fair-mindedness support the conclusion that the
United Nations has been painfully ineffective measured by the yardsticks of
international peace, human rights, and self-determination. The presence of the
‘Universal Declaration of Human Rights’ and other human rights instruments
offers no consolence for the people of Kashmir because its framers have not
lived up to its spirit, at least applying it selectively to suit the objectives
of certain powers. The people of Kashmir are
simply perplexed as to how to interpret such joi de vivre. Over seventy-three
have lapsed since the adoption of this Declaration but the people of Kashmir
have not seen an iota of change in the human rights situation in Kashmir. For
worse may be but never for the better. Such documents are meaningless for the
people of Kashmir or for any other people who do not see their application, or
even a negative mention to those who ride rough shod over them with total
impunity while enjoying the good graces of some of the members of the world
community to aspire to a high moral station above others. The people of Kashmir can hardly believe that august bodies such
as the United Nations recognize that the preservation of international peace
and the realization of human rights are shared and common concerns of
humankind. As an example, the draconian
laws continue to remain in operation in Kashmir, with full impunity to the
perpetrators of crime against the humanity and violations of fundamental human
rights, threatening the very existence of Kashmiri people. The appeals from the
UN Special Rapporteurs on Freedom of Expression; Freedom of Religion; Torture
and Extra-judicial execution; the Amnesty International and other international
NGOs have failed to make India to withdraw these laws. Dr. Nazir Gilani in his
letter to UN Secretary General wrote, “Indian allegation that the OHCHR June
2018 report was ‘false and motivated’ and further accusation that the Special
Rapporteurs had ‘individual prejudices’ against India, would not help the
member nation of UN to undo the massive evidence brought against its human
rights record in Indian administered Kashmir.” If international law were applied evenhandedly in Kashmir, an
international war crimes tribunal would have been established years ago to try
the scores of Indian civilian and military leaders guilty of crimes against
humanity and aggression. What Slobodan Milosevich did in Kosovo and Bosnia
pales in comparison to what Indian civilian and military grandees have done in
Kashmir for 73 successive years, something resembling genocide on the
installment plan. That is why adding teeth
to human rights is urgent. On that count, the news is auspicious. The
United Nations should officially declare that under international law and human
rights covenants, every government official is vulnerable to criminal
prosecution in every nation in the world for either direct or indirect
complicity in human rights violations that shock the international conscience
as determined by the World Court. Every alleged victim of a human rights
violation or his or her relatives should be entitled to sue the alleged
official culprits in the World Court to determine whether the shock the
conscience test has been satisfied. Its verdict would be binding on all
countries. Any nation that refused
either to prosecute or to assist in the prosecution of the human rights
violators would be expelled from the United Nations General Assembly, and its
leaders could be held in contempt of court by the World Court. Kashmir is not beyond a solution if all
involved parties make concessions: Pakistan, India, and Kashmiris. The next step is not to craft a solution, but
to set the stage for crafting a solution. Key to that objective is an appointment of a
person of international standing by the United Nations. The grave situation in
Kashmir demands that it could be brought to the attention of the Security
Council. Whether this could be done successfully depends on the attitude and
policies of the permanent members, but they should be left in no doubt that any
failure to resolve the problem could lead to serious disorders throughout the
South Asian Subcontinent and possibly to yet another war between India and
Pakistan, with incalculable consequences for the whole world, since both states
are now nuclear powers. The question
arises what should be the point of departure for determining a just and lasting
basis? The answer obviously is (a) the Charter of the United Nations which, in
its very first Article, speaks of ‘respect for the principles of equal rights
and self-determination of peoples’ and (b) the international agreements between
the parties to the dispute at the Security Council. If the peaceful settlement
to Kashmir crisis is to be reached, and if India is to stop dealing with the
crises through sheer brutality and terror, world attention must be focused on
Kashmir. Today, in this hour of darkness, in this hour of trial, in this hour
of total isolation and entrapment, the people of Kashmir are being mangled and
decimated, their land is being scorched. Everyday scores of people of dying,
with them are dying the hopes of an entire generation and entire civilization.
6
Three martyred; Jan 1
2022; In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in
their fresh act of state terrorism martyred three more Kashmiri youth in
Srinagar city, today (Dec
29, 2021), raising the number of martyred youth in the territory to nine
in 48 hours.The troops martyred the youth during a cordon and search operation
in Panthachowk area of the city.. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2021/12/31/indian-troops-martyr-three-more-youth-in-srinagar-toll-rises-to-9-in-48-hours.html
7
One martyred; Jan 01 2021: In
Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in their fresh act
of state terrorism martyred one more Kashmiri youth in Kupwara district, today.
The fresh killing raised the number of the martyred youth to 10 since Wednesday
night. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/01/01/indian-troops-martyr-one-more-youth-in-iiojk.html
Kashmir
Update 160: Week , Dec 20 , 2021 to Dec,26 , 2021
1
One martyred; Dec 19
2021: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian forces in
their fresh act of state terrorism martyred one youth in Srinagar district,
today. . The eyewitness in the area said that the youth was killed in a fake
encounter during a cordon and search operation and there was no encounter in
the area.
https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2021/12/19/indian-troops-martyr-one-youth-in-srinagar.html
2
Russell Tribunal;
Dec 20 2021: The
Russell Tribunal on Kashmir has held that based on the evidence presented by
area experts, the Kashmir issue should arguably be seen within a broader global
context of settler colonialism, genocide, and crimes against humanity.,The
judges at the Tribunal in their initial statement said, “We the judges are
present here today to submit our initial statement regarding the proceedings of
the inaugural Russell Tribunal on Kashmir. A final, more thoroughgoing
statement will be issued subsequently.”“Based on the evidence presented by area
experts, the Kashmir issue should arguably be seen within a broader global
context of settler colonialism, genocide, and crimes against humanity,” the
statement said and added that serious accusations of genocide, crimes against
humanity, rape as a weapon of war, unlawful arrests and mass blinding have been
made.This is just the beginning of arduous and judicious process to uncover
truth, but the live testimony we have heard thus far, and the reports and
evidence we have seen, have left us with serious concerns about crimes, which
appear to have been carried out on a massive scale.The remaining part of the
statement goes as: “At this time, we would like to share some basic facts and
accusations:FACT: Kashmir is disputed territory, a fact established by 18
United Nations resolutions. It cannot be claimed legitimately by any country or
claimed as an integral part until the time that the people of Kashmir have been
granted the right to freely, and without fear, express their opinion in the
referendum that they were promised and that the UN continues to urge. To date,
that has not happened;FACT: Following from the above, Kashmir is not a
secessionist movement. In fact, we heard convincing evidence that the people of
Kashmir have been involved in a long struggle of freedom from foreign rulers;
FACT: Kashmir is among the most heavily militarized areas on the planet, with
upwards of 700,000 to 900,000 Indian soldiers, paramilitary forces, and private
security forces present; FACT: Significant evidence of atrocities is contained
in the first report ever issued by the United Nations on human rights in
Kashmir. The report was released on 14 June 2018 by the Office of the United
Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and released under ZeidRa’ad Al
Hussein; FACT: Significant evidence of crimes is also contained in the second report
issued by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights,
issued on 8 July 2019 under UN human rights head Michelle Bachelet. The report
is titled, “Update on the Situation of Human Rights in Indian-Administered
Kashmir and Pakistan-Administered Kashmir from May 2018 to April 2019; FACT: We
heard evidence of genocide, in particular in Jammu in 1947 and 1948, during
which time the Indian government and Dogra regime claimed to be directly
responsible. Events during this time need to be carefully recognized and
studied. The accusations are grave and warrant deeper investigation; FACT: We
have heard evidence from two genocide alerts given by Genocide Watch, an NGO
led by Professor Gregory Stanton. Finally, in conclusion, based on the statements,
oral testimonies and reports we heard on 17 and 18 December, we find serious
indications of constant restrictions on freedoms and gross human rights
violations, including mass crimes, mass rapes and other crimes against
humanity. From the allegations we have heard, these crimes seem to meet the
definition of genocide. This is only the beginning of a long process. Given the
seriousness and gravity of these incriminations, it is important that
international institutions and human rights tribunals urgently open cases and
examine these allegations and prosecute those responsible for violations. The
reports we have heard suggest that the government of India, the Indian Army and
the Indian Intelligence Service are responsible. This requires further investigation.
We invite the world public to visit Kashmir and report on the state of freedoms
and human rights. We are continuing to closely monitor the situation in hopes
of holding criminals to account. We also call upon the United Nations to
properly oversee the decolonialization process in Kashmir. Just as the United
Nations intervened and found that Britain had not properly completed the
decolonialization process in Chagos Archipelago in the 1960s, it could offer a
similar intervention vis-Ã -vis Kashmir. This is the United Nations’
responsibility. As such, we call upon the United Nations General Assembly to
request an advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice to
characterize the Kashmir situation as an uncompleted decolonialization process and
to recognize the legal force of the Security Council’s resolution calling for a
plebiscite of the people of Kashmir in order that they may determine their
future.” It is worth mentioning here that Kashmir Civitas, a
Canadian-registered NGO, had partnered with the Russell Foundation in London,
UK, the Permanent People’s Tribunal of Bologna, Italy, the International
University of Sarajevo and the Center for Advanced Studies in Sarajevo to hold
the inaugural Russell Tribunal on Kashmir in Sarajevo, Bosnia, on December
17-19.
https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2021/12/20/russell-tribunal-calls-on-un-to-oversee-decolonialization-process-in-kashmir.html
3
China and Kashmir; Dec 22 2021;
China may have started preparations for building infrastructure to beef up
forces at Ladakh that led to the continuing military stand-off with India as
early as August 2019, a top global expert pronounced based on long-term
analysis of satellite imagery along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). In an interview
with Sushant Singh for The India Cable,
Chris Biggers, the director of mission applications at the radio frequency (RF)
geospatial intelligence firm HawkEye 360, also noted that despite official
disengagement at the friction points of Galwan, Gogra and Pangong Tso, Chinese
forces continued to remain “near the border at their previous turnaround and
throughout the Galwan valley and east of Kongka La”. Since May 2020, India and
China have continued to be engaged in a tense military stand-off at multiple
points in eastern Ladakh along the LAC. India has claimed that China amassed
military manpower and equipment near the border in violation of border
agreements, which sparked off several clashes when the Indian military was not
allowed on its regular patrols by Chinese soldiers. The most serious clash took
place in June 2020 at Galwan valley, which left 20 Indian
soldiers dead. At least four Chinese soldiers were
killed, according to
official Chinese statements. Since then, there have
been multiple rounds of diplomatic and military negotiations, which have led to
disengagement at several points. However, the key area that remains intractable
is the Depsang plains, where the Chinese have refused to start talking about
disengagement. He noted that other images show that the Chinese had started to
make preparations from mid-2019. “In further support of the advanced planning
thesis, medium resolution imagery has also suggested that China broke ground on
much of the military-related infrastructure near the border in August 2019 (or
shortly thereafter). This lends weight to speculation that India’s Article 370
decision may have sparked the standoff, which would subsequently require a
different defensive posture against India,” Bigger said. In August 2019, India
diluted Article 370 of the Indian constitution to remove the autonomous nature
of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcated the state into two union territories.
During parliament proceedings, Indian home minister Amit Shah stated that he
was “willing to die” for Kashmir, which he clarified in the house, includes
Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Aksai China. These two regions are currently under the control of
Pakistan and China respectively. Following the dilution of Article 370, China lodged a
protest that carving off Ladakh into a separate
union territory was “unacceptable” and would directly impede its sovereignty.
Biggers underlined that the theory that China’s projections into eastern Ladakh
were a result of Article 370 was still difficult to confirm entirely. “However,
statements made by Chinese officials throughout the standoff continued to
emphasise the protection of China’s territorial sovereignty, which it claimed
was violated by the Article 370 “While PLA [Ground Forces] deployed near Patrol
Point 17 had relocated by July 2020, an Indian and Chinese forward camp remained
as per agreements. Those elements finally disengaged in August 2021, but
Chinese forces have remained near the border at their previous turnaround and
throughout the Galwan valley and east of Kongka La,” said Biggers, who had
previously also been the defence and intelligence applications lead for Planet
Labs He noted that while the Indian Army had reinforced its
forces in several locations around Qizil Langer and Daulat Beg Oldi, “it would
likely be unable to repel a Chinese offensive, if an escalation were to become
uncontrollable”. Biggers continued to reiterate that all the observations show
that the Chinese are not going anywhere soon. “Bottom line: China has made
preparations to keep forces near Depsang during the winter
https://thewire.in/security/china-military-infrastructure-ladakh-article-370-chris-biggers
4
UK House of Commons on Kashmir;
Dec 23 2021;
Britain's House of Commons on Wednesday expressed alarm at human rights
violations, including fake encounters by Indian forces, in Indian-occupied
Kashmir and sought a response from the Indian High Commission over the
maltreatment of Kashmiri citizens. As many as 28 MPs of the British Parliament
have written a joint letter to the Indian High Commission, seeking its response
to reports of flagrant abuses of human rights in the occupied territory. The
letter questioned the killings of "innocent Kashmiris" at the hands
of Indian forces who labelled the unarmed citizens as suspected terrorists
before mowing them down. "Those who are killed are mostly normal
citizens," the letter says. The lawmakers also expressed shock at the
incarceration of prominent rights activist Khurram Pervez by Indian forces and
sought an explanation for his detention. "Khurram Pervez is not a
terrorist but a defender of human rights".
The MPs also pointed out that more than 2,500 innocent people had been
detained in the last two years in the occupied territory. Hundreds of people
have been arrested under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) — a
vaguely worded law that effectively allows people to be held without trial
indefinitely — in the Indian-occupied territory since 2019, when New Delhi
cancelled the region’s partial autonomy and brought it under direct rule.
Almost half of them are still in prison and convictions under the law are very
rare.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1665225/british-parliament-expresses-alarm-at-human-rights-abuses-fake-encounters-in-indian-occupied-kashmir
5
Rogers on Kashmir; Dec 23 2021; Roger Waters, British musician and
founding member of former rock band Pink Floyd, on Thursday called out Indian
Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the arrest of rights activist Khurram Parvez
in occupied Kashmir. This is not the first time Waters has called out
the Indian regime. In a video dated Feb
2020, the musician spoke out against the controversial Citizenship (Amendment)
Act introduced by the Indian government
Assange.https://www.dawn.com/news/1665409/hey-modi-musician-roger-waters-calls-out-indian-pm-over-arrest-of-kashmiri-rights-activist
6
Delimitation and Kashmir; Dec 24 2021; On December 21,
former Union minister and Congress leader Saifuddin Soz spoke about the legislative changes in the political
and demographic character of Kashmir in view of the recent Delimitation
Commission proposal and the regulations and orders that have been protested by
Kashmiris since August 5, 2019.”The BJP
has invested large amounts of money to buy off political affiliates and workers
in Kashmir, to establish puppets and purchase turncoats whom it can bank on. In
Sumbal, Karnah, Keran, Tulail, Gurez and Kupwara’s interiors, BJP has tried its
best to purchase locals into joining its party. Just like we saw many sudden
inductions by the BJP before DDC elections. These local Kashmiris who joined
the BJP as vote cutters, were purchased only to establish their ground in the
Valley. Everyone, including the NC, PDP, People’s Conference is aware of this
design – when the BJP-RSS combination fails to muster electoral victory, they
use their money to poach panchayat heads and party workers. And reading down
[Article] 370 was their first step towards their goal of installing a Hindu
chief minister in Jammu and Kashmir, which they now want to achieve electorally
through delimitation Nobody is saying Kashmir is
against Hindus or a Hindu chief minister; if people elect an impeccable
candidate, it’s the people’s mandate, but achieving a Hindu chief minister by
engineering a religious majority in the garb of delimitation will never be
accepted by the people of Jammu and Kashmir. They are under the assumption that
during Mufti Mohammed Sayeed’s time, just because they were in alliance they
gained ground in Kashmir. It is BJP’s foolish assumption. In delimitation, one
can make out how strategical the increase in seats is. The majority of seats
have been increased in Hindu-majority areas. This shows how the BJP’s efforts are
by all intents and purposes aimed at establishing ground for the communal
ideology they espouse and are working towards a Hindu chief minister for
J&K. What else could bring Devender Rana to the BJP from NC? He must’ve
been shown the same dream. In Jammu and Kashmir, the overwhelming
majority is miffed with the revocation of 370. Log naraz hain, we will never accept the
revocation. We will fight and we will win back 370 democratically. Article 370
is not a favour to us, it is our right, it was a precondition to the
recognition of J&K’s accession to India. You think one morning you will
wake up and erode our rights and you will face no resistance no backlash? Not
one Kashmiri is going to accept the revocation, not now, not ever. Maharaja
Hari Singh ceded power to the dominion of India only regarding defence,
external affairs and communications. Article 370 was the translation of Jammu
and Kashmir’s accession to India, the revocation of which will harm all our
people equally. Since then, they are using all tactics to scare us, jail us and
prevent resistance from taking shape, but I trust the courts, I trust
democracy, we will win back 370. The
delimitation exercise is the manifestation of the RSS’s sectarian design. We as
Kashmiris feel that everything around us is being snatched from us. When talks
of our non-agricultural land being given to outsiders and their industries was
in light, the anger was swelling in Kashmir. Our land is ours. We don’t want
outsiders setting up industries here, our children should be helped in setting
up industries. Here, people don’t even want to sell it to outsiders. We will
never give our land to outsiders.”
https://thewire.in/government/saifuddin-soz-jammu-and-kashmir-delimitation
7
The United States Policy Towards Kashmir: Past & Present ; Dec 25 2021; “The Kashmir conflict is often referred as potentially
the most dangerous dispute in the world, as it involves the fate of 1.5 billion
people of South Asia which is one fifth of total human race. Yet it is amazing
that the world powers, with the United States as the sole super-power,
maintains a largely leave-it-alone posture towards the problem. It is true
that, at points of tension, world powers including the United States counsel
restrain to India and Pakistan and warn them of the dangers of brinkmanship.
Despite these warnings, hostilities do break out, conflict remains unresolved,
the colossal waste of an arms race remains unavoidable, and peace is not made
secure,” this was stated by Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Secretary General, World Kashmir
Awareness Forum during 5th International ASSAM Islamic
Union Congress, held in Istanbul on December 18-19,2021 The conference was held with the participation of
Üsküdar University (ÜÜ), Kütahya Dumlupınar University (KDU), Justice Defenders
Association (ASDER), Union of NGOs of the Islamic World (UNIW) and Pakistan
Centre for Aerospace and Security Studies (CASS), on ‘Determination of
Principles and Procedures of Joint Foreign Policy for the Muslim world.’ Dr. Fai’s topic was, “The policy of the United
States towards Kashmir.’ Other issues that were discussed during the
two-days international conference were, ‘Islamophobia’; Afghanistan;
Palestine; Lebanon; Yemen; Iraq; Syria; Libya, Sudan-Ethiopia; East Turkestan; TRNC and Eastern Mediterranean
issues. 63 scholars, academics, diplomats from more than two dozen
countries presented their research papers. Dr. Fai
elaborated that it was a historical fact that when the Kashmir dispute erupted
in 1947-1948, the United States championed the stand that the future status of
Kashmir must be ascertained in accordance with the wishes and aspirations of
the people of the territory. The United States was the principal sponsor of the
resolution # 47 which was adopted by the Security Council on 21 April 1948 and
which was based on that unchallenged principle. Following the resolution, the
United States as a leading member of the United Nations Commission for India
and Pakistan (UNCIP), adhered to that stand. “Historically, the Kashmir dispute
has been the most lasting victim of the cold war, during which the Soviet Union
vetoed every resolution of the Security Council to implement the Council’s
agreed upon resolution. It is tragic that, even after the end of the cold war, the
imbroglio has persisted, and the people of Kashmir have been subjected to grave
abuses of their human rights. This is a fact which should weigh heavily on the
international conscience. It should also be a challenge to international
statesmanship,” Fai added. Fai warned that an indication of the misplaced focus of
the world powers including the United States is the wrong-headed talk about the
“sanctity” of the line of control in Kashmir. It is forgotten that this
line continues to exist only because the international agreements which had
been concluded between India and Pakistan, with the full support of the United
States. This line was originally formalized by that agreement as a temporary
cease-fire line pending the demilitarization of the State of Jammu and Kashmir
and the holding of a plebiscite under impartial control to determine its
future. To regard this line as a solution is to regard disease as remedy.
Any kind of agreement procured to that end, whether by the U.S. or under its
influence, will not only notendure; it will invite resentment and revolt
against whichever leadership in Kashmir will sponsor or subscribe to it. Fai
said that it was hard to understand why, contrary to its traditional principled
stand on the Kashmir dispute, the world powers have been in recent years
treating the problem as if it were an unchartered terrain about which no road
map exists. The United Nations has at its inception devoted immense labor and
thought, extending over a hundred meetings of the Security Council with active
U.S. participation, to its solution. The fact cannot be dismissed that the
terms of settlement the United Nations worked out did elicit the signed agreement
of both India and Pakistan. It may be admitted that those terms seem to be in
need of revision in the light of current or emergent realities but their basis,
the consent of the people of Kashmir, remains inviolable. Neither pragmatism
nor morality would sanction the setting aside of that basis. “What should be the procedure for putting the Kashmir
dispute on the road to a settlement? For the United States to do so by itself
would be to arouse undue suspicion as though the United States has its own axe
to grind. The better way would be that United States asks the Secretary General
of the United Nations, with the concurrence of the Security Council, to engage
himself, directly or through a representative of high international standing,
in a sustained effort of mediation which should (a) ensure that the positions
of the people of Kashmir is fully taken into account and (b) aim at a
settlement within a reasonable time-frame, providing for a transitional period,
if necessary, for a calming effect,” Fai suggested. “In order to quicken and strengthen the peace process,
United States would definitely recommend improving the atmosphere in Kashmir by
revoking the Domicile Law, which is designed to change the demography of
Kashmir, releasing of all political prisoners, a full restoration of civil
liberties, including the liberty to express themselves peacefully on the
question of their own future,” Fai concluded.
8
One martyred; Dec 25 2021; In
Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in their fresh act
of state terrorism martyred one Kashmiri youth in Islamabad district, today.The
troops martyred the youth during a cordon and search operation in Arwani area
of the district. The troops blocked all entry and exit points of Arwani,
subjecting the local residents to huge inconvenience. The occupation
authorities suspended the internet and mobile services in the area.
https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2021/12/24/indian-troops-martyr-one-kashmiri-youth-in-islamabad.html
9
Four martyred; Dec 25
2021: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in
their fresh acts of state terrorism martyred four more youth in south Kashmir. A
joint team of Indian army, Central Reserve Police Force and police martyred two
youth in Chowgam area of Shopian and two in Hardumir, Tral area of Pulwama
during cordon and search operations. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2021/12/25/indian-troops-martyr-two-youth-in-shopian.html
Kashmir
Update 159: Week , Dec 13 , 2021 to Dec,19 , 2021 2021
1
Two martyred; Dec 13
2021 : In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian forces in
their fresh act of state terrorism martyred two Kashmiri youth in Srinagar
district.The youth were martyred by Indian troops during a cordon and search
operation in Rangret area of the district, today.
https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2021/12/13/indian-troops-martyr-two-kashmiri-youth-in-srinagar.html
2
One martyred; Dec
15 2021: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir
(IIOJK), Indian troops in their fresh act of state terrorism martyred one more
Kashmiri youth in Pulwama district, today morning
https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2021/12/15/indian-troops-martyr-one-kashmiri-youth-in-pulwama-3.html
3
Mosque
closed; Dec 17 2021; Jamia
Masjid, the grand mosque of Srinagar, dominates its neighborhood with an
imposing main gate and massive turrets. It can hold 33,000 worshippers, and on
special occasions over the years hundreds of thousands of Muslims have filled
nearby lanes and roads to offer prayers led from the mosque. In this bitter
dispute, the mosque in Kashmir's main city has largely remained closed for the
past two years. The mosque's chief priest has been detained in his home almost
nonstop throughout that time, and the mosque's main gate is padlocked and
blocked with corrugated tin sheets on Friday
Many Kashmiri Muslims have
long said New Delhi curbs their religious freedom on the pretext of law and
order while promoting and patronizing the annual Hindu pilgrimage to an icy
Himalayan cave visited by hundreds of thousands of Hindus from across Authorities often clamped down, banning
prayers at the mosque for extended periods. According to official data, the
mosque was closed for at least 250 days in 2008, 2010 and 2016 combined.India.https://www.npr.org/2021/12/16/1064743864/in-kashmir-closed-mosque-raises-questions-about-indias-religious-freedom
4
Two
martyred; Dec 16 2021: In Indian illegally
occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), Indian troops in their fresh act of state
terrorism, martyred two more Kashmiri youth in Kulgam district.
https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2021/12/16/indian-troops-martyr-two-kashmiri-youth-in-kulgam-2.html
5
UNGA on Kashmir; Dec 15 2021; The United Nations
General Assembly (UNGA) in New York adopted with consensus on Friday a
Pakistan-sponsored resolution, titled 'Universal Realisation of the Right of
the Peoples to Self-Determination', which "unequivocally supports the
right to self-determination for all peoples under subjugation, alien domination
and foreign occupation", including those of Indian-occupied Kashmir. Co-sponsored by 72 countries, the resolution
secured the support of all UN member states due to its "universal
character of the right to self-determination and its continued applicability in
situations of foreign occupation and intervention", the FO said. . https://www.dawn.com/news/1664341/hope-for-kashmiris-unga-adopts-pakistan-sponsored-resolution-on-right-to-self-determination
Kashmir
Update 157: Week , Dec 6 , 2021 to Dec,12 , 2021 2021
1
AFSPA
; Dec 7 2021; On Saturday, December 4, Indian Army
personnel shot and killed what is now a
toll of 15 civilians in Nagaland The Union government, in agreement with
states, uses a controversial legislation to deploy armed forces in “disturbed
areas” of the country to “support” state governments. This legislation, called
the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), has a dark history. Among the many
provisions that are cause for human rights concerns, AFSPA has provisions that
allow for rare circumstances under which accused personnel can be tried in a
court. AFSPA has established a culture of impunity that allow military forces
and governments to completely disregard human rights and the rule of law.
Allegations of human rights abuses under AFSPA include personnel committing rape, using human
shields on army vehicles, fake encounters, and disappearance
while in custody. A
disturbed area, according to the Act, refers to when an area “is in such a
disturbed or dangerous condition that the use of armed forces in aid of the
civil power is necessary”. This essentially allows the Union government to use
the Army or the Central Armed Forces in anti-insurgency operations against
militants. In the past 12 months, it has been in force in the states of Assam,
Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Nagaland. An identical legislation has been in
force in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir since 1990. AFSPA does not have
sufficient safeguards to ensure that the personnel conduct
operations in a manner which conforms to standards on the use of force in
conflict areas. When service personnel commit crimes while on duty, they are
rarely held accountable. Accused personnel cannot be prosecuted in a criminal
court unless the Union government or a state government agrees to give
authorisation to prosecute them Citizens in AFSPA-imposed regions have long
advocated abolition of the law for this,
https://thewire.in/rights/afspa-nagaland-civilian-killings
2
Three
martyred; Dec 08 2021;
In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in
their fresh act of state terrorism martyred three Kashmiri youth in Shopian
district, today. According to Kashmir Media Service, the troops martyred the
youth during a cordon and search operation in Check-e-Cholan area of the
district. The troops also destroyed a residential house by using heavy weapons
and chemical substance in the area. Meanwhile,
the occupation authorities have suspended the internet service and sealed all
entry and exit points of the area. Media persons are not being allowed to
conduct coverage of the military operation.
https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2021/12/08/indian-troops-martyr-one-kashmiri-youth-in-shopian-2.html
3
India and
human Rights; Dec 2021; A consortium of 34 international multi-faith
human rights NGOs have written a letter to President Joe Biden and Vice
President Kamala Harris expressing their deep concern that the president’s Summit for Democracy Dec.
9-10 will ignore the widespread violations of human rights, persecution,
physical attacks and murder of members of minority religions in India as the
government devolves from democracy to fascism. The letter, at more than 1,500
words, provides details and indisputable facts for 14 instances in which
democracy is under attack or being abused by the government of Indian Prime
Minister Narendra Modi and members of his BJP/RSS party. The letter has jointly
written by the Alliance of South Asians Taking Action, USA, Alternatives
International, Canada, Ambedkar International Center, USA, Ambedkar King Study
Circle, USA, Anti-Caste Discrimination Alliance, UK, Association of Indian
Muslims of America, USA, Aotearoa Alliance Of Progressive Indians (Aotearoa New
Zealand.), Center for Pluralism, USA, CERAS (Centre sur l’asie du sud),
Montreal, Canada, Chicago Coalition for Human Rights in India (CCHRI), USA,
Coalition Against Fascism in India (CAFI), USA, Coalition of Seattle Indian
Americans, USA, Dalit Solidarity Forum, USA, Federation of Indian American
Christian Organizations (FIACONA), North America, Foundation: The London Story,
EU, Friends of India—Texas, USA, Hindus for Human Rights, USA, India Civil
Watch International, North America, India Justice Project, Germany, Indian
American Muslim Council (IAMC), USA, India Solidarity Germany, Germany,
International Christian Concern, USA, International Commission for Dalit
Rights, USA, International Solidarity for Academic Freedom in India,
International, International Society for Peace and Justice, USA, Punjabi
Literary and Cultural Association (PLCA) Winnipeg, Canada, Scottish Indians for
Justice, Scotland, South Asian Dalit Adivasi Network, Canada, South Asian Left
Activist Movement (SALAM), USA, South Asia Solidarity Group, UK, Students
Against Hindutva Ideology, USA, The Humanism Project, Australia, Turbine Bagh,
UK, Voices Against Fascism in India, USA and Islamic Society of North America
(ISNA), USA. The letter also expresses regret that more members of the
international civil society were not included in planning for the summit, and
those who were involved were warned that specific instances of member nations’
internal affairs, abuses, discrimination and persecution will be off-limits.
“While your organizing principles are commendable, the process has been weak
and exclusionary,” the letter states. “… We are committed to working with your
administration to strengthen the Democracy Summit process. We therefore seek
urgent consultation with your administration, not only to ensure that the
Democracy Summit gets off to a meaningful start, but also that the process
going forward gains in strength at every stage.” Unfortunately, the present
Indian government cannot be considered one that shares the democratic values of
your administration. While our two countries could never have claimed to be
perfect democracies, it is important that the Summit start from acknowledging
one key fact: the past seven years of BJP/RSS rule in India have seen a sharp
and dramatic backsliding when it comes to democratic norms. Take the case of
the Farm Laws: after passing sweeping laws as an ordinance without any
consultation with farmers or the opposition, the government brutally repressed
and demonized the farmers’ movement against the laws. Even the repeal of the
three laws occurred in a manner suited to strongmen: instead of communicating
with farmers, or following the parliamentary process, Mr Modi unilaterally
announced the repeal. Not a word was said by Mr Modi about the 700+ deaths that
his government’s intransigence and authoritarian approach in the matter had
produced. We appreciate the three organizing principles around which the summit
is organized, but urge you to attend to our critical concerns regarding India
under each of these pillars: Defending against Authoritarianism: Freedom
House has downgraded India’s democracy to “partly free.” International
commentators from every major media publication have consistently raised the
issue of India’s authoritarian turn over the last seven years. Three specific
issues must be raised with Mr Modi: Anti-Minority Laws: The Modi
government began its second term with the passage of the Citizenship Amendment
Act. Together with its corollary processes of the National Register of Citizens
and the National Population Register, the CAA/NRC/NPR create a framework for
the active disenfranchisement of India’s largest minority—Muslims—stripping
away their voting and citizenship rights. Not challenging these would be the
equivalent of abetting conditions for a future genocide. All this is playing
out in the context of a series of other laws targeting religious minorities,
including anti-conversion and anti-inter religious marriage laws, which also
target Christians. In addition, Christian institutions are under attack, with
International Christian Concern counting India among the seven worst
persecutors of Christians in the world. Kashmir: The sudden revocation
of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, and the overwhelming use of the
military in Kashmir, with there being one soldier for every seven Kashmiris at one stage, is
already being acknowledged internationally as the single most visible and
unambiguous sign of BJP/RSS authoritarianism and its willingness to run
roughshod over constitutional protections and guarantees; Dissent, Political
Prisoners, and Draconian Laws: The last 7 years have seen a continuous and
rising tide of arrest and imprisonment of dissenters under draconian
anti-terror laws such as UAPA and the NSA in India. The Bhima Koregaon 16 case,
the arrests of students, activists, and journalists in the wake of the
Northeast Delhi violence, and most recently the arrests of journalists
reporting on religious violence in Tripura, are just the most known instances.
Those jailed without trial include some of India’s most prominent public
intellectuals, poets, writers, journalists, lawyers, and leaders of the women’s
movement. At least one prominent arrestee, Jesuit priest Father Stan Swamy,
passed away while still in custody due to the effects of being incarcerated
during a global pandemic in his 80s. If dissent is the most important aspect of
an active democracy, then PM Modi has a unique record in its repression. This
includes significant evidence that in the landmark BK-16 case, evidence was
falsely planted on defendants’ computers through malware, opening up a new
vector of attack on critics of the government ;Addressing and Fighting
Corruption:While the Modi government first came to office on an
anti-corruption plank, it has since proven to be one of the most opaque and
nontransparent governments India has known. Three issues of international scale
and core to American interests and values must be raised with PM Modi at the
summit: Electoral Bonds: The Modi government introduced electoral bonds
in 2015, sneaking them in as part of the budget process. This set into place
the most opaque electoral finance system in the democratic world. It allows for
national and international corporations to pay into party funds with no
oversight and no transparency. From summary figures available, it is clear that
large numbers of international shell companies are involved in financing Indian
political parties, and that the BJP is by far the single largest recipient of
such funds. While US funders of electoral bonds in India must be revealed, this
assault on the financial underpinnings of India’s democracy must stop ; Rafale
and Crony Capitalism: India’s position as a valued member of the Quad is
premised on transparent and incorruptible trade, particularly in the arms
sector. The Rafale deal with France is a subject of an ongoing French
investigation. What has already been revealed about the deal, including data
submitted to the Comptroller and Auditor General in India, points to a specific
corporation being favored, and millions of dollars of graft money being at
play. Democracy cannot survive in an atmosphere of crony capitalism ; PMCARES
Fund: The PMCARES fund is at the centre of the financial scandal that
emerged even as India faced two devastating waves of the pandemic. Under Indian
law and as per the government’s promotional material while raising money for
PMCARES, this fund meets the definition of a government fund. And yet, today,
the government of India claims the fund is not a government fund, and refuses
to release any details about it, even though several government agencies,
including the Indian consulate in Washington, DC, and 26 other countries, advertised
PMCARES and helped raise funds for it! ; Advancing Respect for Human Rights:This
government is marked by explicit attacks on human rights coming from its top
leadership. PM Modi has demonized
non-governmental organizations by claiming they are working to “finish him”;
Amit Shah has dismissed human
rights as Western concepts that don’t apply to India; National Security Advisor
Ajit Doval has branded civil
society as the “new frontier of war”; and Bipin Rawat, the chief of defence
staff, has valorized
lynching. Such naked attacks on human rights from the very top echelons of the
administration need to be a central concern of the summit ; Digital
surveillance and planting of evidence: Two recent revelations on
surveillance and evidence planting, potentially by the Indian state, suggest a
severe rise in the misuse of spying technologies to attack critics of the
government. Pegasus was used to snoop on journalists, top opposition leaders,
and even independent election commissioners; the malware Netwire went one step
further and planted evidence on the computers of dissenters. While several
democratic governments have opened investigations in the wake of these
revelations, the Indian government has refused to do so thus far. Given your
recent sanctions against the NSO Group, the US must call on Mr Modi to
immediately stop the use of malware to target civil society, investigate these
harms, and punish offenders; Worsening caste oppression and erosion of
legislative protections: Caste remains the most pervasive form of violation
of basic human rights in India, and the last several years have seen an
alarming increase in caste atrocities. Particularly in the northern state of
Uttar Pradesh, the BJP-led state government and police have themselves been complicit in
covering up sexual violence against Dalits. Groups connected to the RSS have
led to violence against Dalits on university campuses and in the state of
Gujarat. Moreover, the Modi government failed to protect provisions in the
SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, which acts as a crucial deterrent, until
protests and the opposition forced it to do so. The BK-16 case is another
example of the BJP/RSS’s punitive retaliation against Dalit assertion and their
exercising of civil and cultural rights by commemorating Dalit valour in the
historic Bhima-Koregaon battle; Labor Codes: In September 2020, the
Narendra Modi government passed new
laws governing Labor when the opposition was absent from Parliament. These laws
make it harder for labour unions to be recognized; harder for workers to go on
strike, and made it easier for some companies to lay off workers with impunity.
The assault on labour rights is a critical part of the Modi government’s
overall assault on human rights ; The Swedish V-Dem Institute has described
India as an “electoral autocracy,” and we agree: this is the single most
anti-democratic government India has ever seen. Therefore, we are committed to
working with your administration to strengthen the Democracy Summit process.
https://twocircles.net/2021dec08/444316.html
4
73 years on: Kashmir crisis remains a living hell; Dec 10, 2021; Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Secretary General,
Washington-based World Kashmir Awareness Forum today lamented the seeming
conspiracy of silence over gross affronts to the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights (UDHR) in Indian occupied Kashmir, an occupation which itself violates
still binding United Nations Security Council resolutions dictating a self-determination
there under United Nations supervision. That unheroic muteness has emboldened
India to a chilling campaign of human rights atrocities against innocent
Kashmiris. The 900,000 Indian military and paramilitary forces operate outside
the rule of law under the protective umbrella of an Indian immunity statute.
Egregious human rights violations are commonplaces: extrajudicial killings, rape, torture,
plunder, abductions, mutilations, and arbitrary detentions. It is even a crime
to salute implementation of the Security Council plebiscite resolutions, a
shocking affront to the Council itself. “The presence of the ‘UDHR’ and other human rights instruments
offers no comfort to the people of Kashmir because its framers have not lived
up to its spirit, at least applying it selectively to suit the objectives of
certain powers. The candor and fair-mindedness support the conclusion that the
United Nations has been painfully ineffective measured by the yardsticks of
international peace, human rights, and self-determination,” Fai added. Fai warned that the people of Kashmir can hardly
believe that august bodies such as the United Nations recognize that the
preservation of international peace and the realization of human rights are
shared and common concerns of humankind. They are simply perplexed as to how to
interpret such joi de vivre. Over seventy-three years have lapsed since the
adoption of this Declaration but the people of Kashmir have not seen an iota of
change in the human rights situation in Kashmir. For worse may be but never for
the better. Such documents are meaningless for the people of Kashmir or for any
other people who do not see their application, or even a negative mention to
those who ride rough shod over them with total impunity while enjoying the good
graces of some of the members of the world community to aspire to a high moral
station above others. If
international law were applied evenhandedly in Kashmir, an international war
crimes tribunal would have been established years ago to try the scores of
Indian civilian and military leaders guilty of crimes against humanity and
aggression. What Slobodan Milosevich did in Kosovo and Bosnia pales in
comparison to what Indian civilian and military grandees have done in Kashmir
for 73 successive years, something resembling genocide on the installment plan. "Too often," Dr. Fai
deplored, "the international community closes its eyes to the brutal
reality of Kashmir because of India's hegemony in South Asia and its
potentially attractive consumer market. It has crowned India with a veto power
over outside intervention. A shocking affront to the Council itself. Yet, India
has the temerity to seek a permanent seat at the United Nations Security
Council. Dr. Fai appealed to the
United Nations to persuade India for: i). Complete cessation of military and
paramilitary action by Indian forces against the people of Jammu and Kashmir;
ii). Unconditional release of political
prisoners iii). Repealing of all draconian laws; iv) Revoking Domicile
Law which is designed to change the demography of Kashmir and v). Restoring the
right of peaceful association, assembly, and demonstration. “If the peaceful settlement to Kashmir crisis is to be reached,
and if India is to stop dealing with the crises through sheer brutality and
terror, world attention must be focused on Kashmir. Today, in this hour of
darkness, in this hour of trial, in this hour of total isolation and
entrapment, the people of Kashmir are being mangled and decimated, their land
is being scorched. Everyday scores of people of dying, with them are dying the
hopes of an entire generation and entire civilization,” Fai concluded. Dr. Fai can be reached at:
1-202-607-6435. Or. gnfai2003@yahoo.com
5 Youth martyred; Dec 12, 2021: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in their fresh act of state terrorism, martyred one Kashmiri youth in Pulwama district. The youth was martyred by Indian troops, paramilitary and police personnel during cordon and search operation at Baragam area of the district, today, (Sunday) morning.. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2021/12/12/indian-troops-martyr-one-kashmiri-youth-in-pulwama-2.html
Kashmir
Update 157: Week , Nov ,29 2021 to DeC,5,
2021
1
Bhutan
china border agreement; NoV 29 2021; The Bhutan-China memorandum of understanding
(MOU) of October 14 speaks of a
three-step road map for a settlement of the China-Bhutan boundary. Like the
Sino-Indian border, the entire 477-km Bhutan-China border is also disputed.
Significant Chinese claims range from three areas in western Bhutan, including
Doklam, three regions in the north, and a June 2020 reassertion of its claim to
a large chunk of eastern Bhutan There were two reasons for this. First, adding
territory in the west would help enlarge the narrow and strategic Chumbi
Valley, and second, possession of Doklam would give it a military advantage
over India. The Doklam area is not of particular strategic significance for
Bhutan, but it is important for India since it gets the Chinese to the Zompelri
(Jampheri) ridge, which gives them a commanding view of India’s Northeastern
jugular, also known as the Siliguri Corridor. By the 10th round of talks in 1995, the Bhutanese appeared willing to
concede to the Chinese A round each of
border and expert group talks took place in 2016 just before the Doklam crisis
of June 2017. This was triggered by an Indian blockade in Bhutanese territory
that was claimed by China to prevent the latter from building a several-km long
road to a Royal Bhutan Army outpost on Zompelri ridge. But no sooner had India
and China negotiated disengagement at the end of August 2017 that Beijing
redoubled moves to establish itself in the Doklam plateau. It simply altered
its route to the ridge and began a massive military build-up which has featured
accommodations for troops and helipads. China also began building a model
village on the Mochu river and a road snaking south towards India, all in
Bhutanese territory. The Bhutanese have remained silent spectators and New
Delhi has chosen to look the other way. Earlier this year, China expert Robert
Barnett and his team revealed that, since 2015, the Chinese had been building a
network of roads, buildings and military posts in the areas they claimed in
northern Bhutan as well. In short, they were occupying whatever they claimed in
Bhutan, without as much as a “by your leave” to the Bhutanese. For the
Bhutanese, securing a comprehensive agreement on the border is of the highest
priority. The problem for the tiny Himalayan kingdom is that, unlike, its
neighbourhood, it is not very populous, with just some 750,000 people in an
area of 38,000 sq km — a little smaller than Denmark but with one-seventh of
its population. Its capacity to police its disputed borders is limited, as has
been evident over the years that it has dealt with China. In South Asia, China
sees Bhutan, where it does not yet have an embassy, as the last frontier.
Having made inroads into Indian pre-eminence in Nepal, Sri Lanka and
Bangladesh, Beijing would like to challenge New Delhi’s special relationship
with Bhutan as well. Recent events, including Doklam and the revival of its
claim in the eastern region, can be seen as systematic Chinese pressure to push
the Bhutanese to comply with its demands. But recent developments suggest a
perception in Bhutan that there are limits to which it can depend on India for
its security. With New Delhi itself hard-pressed along the Line of Actual
Control (LAC), it is unlikely to be of much help to Bhutan. On the other hand,
a settled border could have many benefits, including Chinese investments and
tourists. https://www.orfonline.org/research/the-china-bhutan-border-deal-should-worry-india/
2
Kashmir
Referendum; Nov 30 2021; The answer is simple, ‘Internationalization of the
Conflict’. For a unified stand, an international forum called ‘Sikhs for
Justice’ (SJF) was created. Through SFJ, the community reached out for the
world to understand their plight under ‘Hindu Fascism India declared the Sikh
struggle for freedom as terrorism as it called for the dismemberment of the
Indian Union. Now India was at the receiving end. In 1971 it succeeded in
convincing the world that the Indian supported ‘Mukti Bihani’ armed struggle
against Pakistan was a freedom movement that eventually led to the creation of
Bangladesh. While two very successful models of struggle (Khalistan, Bangladesh)
exist, there are lessons to be learned for the liberation of Kashmir. Indian
designs of neutralizing the Muslim majority have to be exposed at all forums. Referendums have to be organized all over the world to
determine the will of the people. United Kingdom (UK) has a large expatriate
community. The first vote should take place in London, followed by New York
where the Kashmiris should exercise their will in a free environment. Pakistan has a role to play but the Kashmiris have to lead
their freedom struggle. ‘The Khalistan approach is effective which should be
replicated. Cracks have started to appear in the Indian Union which is now
under the Fascist Hindu regime of the Butcher of Gujrat where minorities are
unsafe, referendum is the only way out.
https://www.globalvillagespace.com/lessons-for-kashmir-from-the-khalistan-referendum/
3
Human cost; Dec
1 2021; In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in
their continued acts of state terrorism martyred 651 Kashmiris including 13
women since 2019 in the territory. According to a report compiled by Research
Section of Kashmir Media, of those 99 Kashmiris were killed by the Indian
troops, paramilitary and police personnel in fake encounters and custody since
2019. The Indian troops, paramilitary, police personnel and notorious National
Investigation Agency arrested over 18,000 Hurriyat leaders, activists, youth,
students, journalists, civil society members and women in, at least, 12,694
cordon and search operations in the territory.
https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2021/11/30/indian-troops-martyr-651-kashmiris-in-iiojk-since-2019.html
4
November 2021 Human
cost; Dec 2 2021; In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops, in
their unabated acts of state terrorism martyred twenty Kashmiris during the
last month of November. According to the data issued by the Research Section of
Kashmir Media Service, today, of those killed eight Kashmiris were martyred in
fake encounters and in custody. These killings rendered three (3) woman widowed
and six (6) children orphaned and a house was damaged by Indian troops during
the period. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2021/12/01/indian-troops-martyr-20-kashmiris-in-november.html
5
UAE on Kashmir; Dec 4 2021;In what can only be described as a
knife in the back of eight million Kashmiri Muslims, Dubai – one of the UAE’s
seven Emirates – recently signed an accord with the Indian Government to build infrastructure in
the Indian-occupied territory of Jammu and Kashmir, an internationally
recognised disputed territory. While only a memorandum of understanding at this
stage, the deal will see Dubai deliver more than a billion dollars’ worth of
projects in Kashmir – including industrial parks, a medical college, a
specialty hospital, logistic centres, IT towers and multi-purpose towers. What
it will also deliver is a staggering blow to Kashmiri aspirations for
self-determination, putting the territory’s Muslim majority at greater
geopolitical distance from the plebiscite promised to them by the UN Security
Council in 1948. The Indian Government can barely conceal its giddiness,
however, with Trade Minister Piyush Goyal boasting: “The world has started to
recognise the pace [at] which Jammu and Kashmir is traversing on the
development bandwagon.” “Development” is the banner under which Narendra Modi’s
Government has tried to sell its move to suddenly and anti-democratically strip
Kashmir of its semi-autonomous status on 5 August 2019. But, instead of
development, the disputed territory’s Muslim majority has received only
‘security’ crackdowns, curfews, telecommunications black-outs, internet bans
and travel restrictions – all of which are designed to cut Kashmiris off from
the outside world. These draconian measures have been supplemented with the
mass arrest and detainment of local political leaders, journalists, secessionists,
human rights defenders, and vocal critics of the Indian government – which, in
turn, has mobilised indigenous armed resistance groups, providing New Delhi
with the pretext to crackdown even harder; a reality affirmed by the detainment
of more than 700 so-called ‘terrorist sympathisers‘ in recent weeks. Put
simply, life hasn’t improved for the average Kashmiri because India wants
Kashmir – but not its people. So it uses ‘economic development’ as fig-leaf for
settler-colonialism. But, as the state of Israel knows all too well,
colonisation is problematic without the backing of international partners.
Enter the United Arab Emirates, which only recently normalised Israel’s
settler-colonial enterprise in the occupied Palestinian Territories by becoming
the lead signatory to the Abraham Accords, signed last year with former US
President Donald Trump.
https://bylinetimes.com/2021/12/03/the-uae-has-stabbed-kashmir-in-the-back/
6
United Nations, Dec
03 2021: Mary Lawlor, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights, today,
made public the communication to India on multiple acts of intimidation of
journalists. According to Kashmir Media Service, the communication was in
context to the harassment of 2 journalists based in Indian illegally occupied
Jammu and Kashmir Qazi Shibli and Aakash Hassan and another hailing from the
Indian state of Bihar, Chandrabhushan Tiwari. “We fear that the lack of
investigation and follow up with the human rights defenders may be a sign that
corruption within the Indian police forces may extend beyond the officers
reported to have taken bribes. We are deeply concerned that the unwarranted
attacks against the journalists may be an attempt to clamp down on freedom of
expression and silence reporting on human rights issues in India,” the
communication added. If confirmed, these attacks would raise serious concerns
regarding the environment in India for the lawful exercise of the journalistic
profession, the statement read. “We also expressed our deep concern regarding
the alleged raids on the home of Qazi Shibli and his family members. We fear
that these raids are a worrying illustration of a pattern of targeted
harassment of journalists in Jammu and Kashmir, raising further serious
concerns regarding the ability for journalists to exercise their profession
free from threats or intimidation,” the statement concluded. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2021/12/03/un-special-rapporteurs-express-concern-over-excessive-use-of-force-against-iiojk-journalists.html
Kashmir
Update 156: Week , Nov ,22, 2021 to Nov,28, 2021
1
UN; Nov 4 2021;
Rights groups including the United Nations have criticised the arrest of a
prominent activist in Indian-administered Kashmir on terror funding
charges.Khurram Parvez was arrested late on Monday by India's federal National
Investigation Agency (NIA), an Indian official briefed on the situation told
Reuters.
His residence and office were
searched and a mobile phone, laptop and books seized, he added. A spokesperson
for the NIA confirmed Parvez's arrest on Tuesday. He is being held under the
Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, that allows for detention of up to six
months without trial. Mary Lawlor, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights
Defenders, called Parvez's arrest "disturbing". "He's not a
terrorist, he's a human rights defender," she said in a tweet. Parvez, one
of Kashmir's best known activists, is head of Jammu Kashmir Coalition of Civil
Society, a group of rights organisations working in the region. It(India) tightly controls access to Kashmir for
foreign observers, including the UN UN criticises
'disturbing' arrest of rights activist in Indian Kashmir | Reuters
2
Three martyred; Nov.,
5 ,202l: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in
their fresh act of state terrorism martyred three Kashmiri youth in Srinagar,
today. The troops shot dead the youth in Rambagh area of Srinagar. The killings
triggered forceful anti-India demonstrations. The protesters raised
high-pitched anti-India and pro-freedom slogans. The demonstrators said that
the youth were innocent civilians and were killed by the troops in a fake encounter.
Eyewitnesses told media that the victims were taken out from a car and shot
dead on the street by the troops. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2021/11/24/indian-troops-martyr-three-kashmiri-youth-in-srinagar.html
3
Kashmiris have not
forgotten UN promises; Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai; Nov., 25, 2021; the
people of Jammu & Kashmir have not forgotten that it was on April 21, 1948,
that the United Nations Security Council adopted resolution # 47 which states
that the future of Kashmir shall be decided by its inhabitants. There have been
successive United Nations security Council resolutions that pledged to the
people of Kashmir their right to self-determination. The Indian Government has
barred the exercise of this right and has waged a campaign of terror against
the people of Kashmir. The Kashmiris have become victims of systematic and
extreme brutalities, and nothing has been done by the world powers or any organ
of the United Nations including the Secretary General to permit them any relief
or redress. Each time the people of Kashmir have demanded the right to
self-determination, Indian authorities have responded with extreme repression. India
is a signatory to the ‘Universal Declaration of Human Rights,’ which guarantees
that ‘everyone has the right to life, liberty, and security of person,’ that
‘no one shall be subjected to torture, or to cruel, inhuman or degrading
treatment or punishment,’ and that ‘no one shall be subjected to arbitrary
arrest, detention or exile.’ These rights are being violated by the Indian army
and its paramilitary forces, day in, day out. Since 1989, the Indian Government
has embarked upon a campaign of mass slaughter, rape and robbery against the
people of Kashmir. It is estimated that since January 1990, more than 100,000
people have been killed in Kashmir at the hands of the Indian forces of
occupation. More than 10,000 persons have involuntarily disappeared. Their
wives are called “Half-widows” because no one knows whether they are dead or
alive. Further, it is estimated that hundreds of Kashmiris are held as
political prisoners by the government of India. Very recently, on November 15,
2021, the killing of three innocent Kashmiris, Dr. Mudasir Gul, Altaf Butt and
Mohammad Amir in Hyderpora, Srinagar, Kashmir in a fake encounter has once again
shaken the conscience of the global civil society. This act of barbarism by
occupation army signifies the death of so-called Indian democracy. This latest
killing of innocent civilians needs a transparent investigation by a neutral
outside agency, like the United Nations. And, now the Arrest of
World-renowned Human Rights Activist Khurram Parvez by NIA of India on November
21, 2021 is obviously travesty of justice. Mary Lawlor, the UN Special
Rapporteur on Human Rights Defender tweeted: Khurram Parvez is not a terrorist.
He is a Human Rights Defender. India has legalized torture, arbitrary
arrest, wanton destruction of property and has given its soldiers the right to
kill at sight, and to conduct searches without warrant. Here are few black laws
authorized by the Government of India which clearly violate international
standards. The Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act (PSA). This law enables the
Indian armed forces in Kashmir to detain civilians for up to one year without
trial or due process for a wide variety of reasons, including the exercise of
free speech. Under this law, an individual who prints pamphlets and newsletters
that advocate the implementation of the United Nations resolutions calling for
a plebiscite in Kashmir can also be arrested and detailed without formal charge
or due process. That is why the Amnesty International calls the Jammu and
Kashmir Public Safety Act, 'Lawless Law. In 2011, Amnesty International’s
‘Lawless Law’ report revealed that, given the political context in J&K, the
PSA was used to detain, among others, political leaders, lawyers, and
individuals who challenged the state through political action or peaceful
dissent. The report found that the PSA provides for arbitrary detention, which
violates the right to liberty under human rights law binding on India.
Furthermore, the report found that state authorities also used the PSA to
facilitate other human rights violations, including incommunicado detentions,
torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (other
ill-treatment) in custody, and detention on vague grounds. Based on these
findings, the report called on the Government of J&K to repeal the PSA,
abolish the administrative detention system, either release those held under
the PSA or charge them with a recognised criminal offence, and to try them in a
regular court in proceedings which meet international standards of fairness. The
Terrorist and Disruptive Act (TADA). This act allows Indian forces to round up
and detain citizens for up to one year without formal charges, due process of
law or formal trial. When and if court hearings are held, they are held in
secret. Victims are not allowed to confront their accusers, and witnesses can
keep their identities secret. The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967 (UAPA).
Under UAPA a person can be incarcerated up to 180 days without a charge sheet
being filed. It does not allow right to dissent. The Amnesty International
Executive Director has said that UAPA has been used to “target journalists and
human rights defenders who criticize government policies.” The National
Security Act. Under this law, the Indian armed forces can detain individuals
for up to one year without charges or trial to prevent them from ‘acting in a
manner prejudicial to state security.’ Under his law, an individual does not
even have to take a specific action to be detained. If the Indian authorities
believe that he is about to do something, they can detain him without charge to
prevent him from acting The Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) [Jammu and
Kashmir]. . This law was passed on September 10, 1990. It allows the Governor
of the State of Jammu and Kashmir to unilaterally ‘declare the whole or any
part f the state to be a disturbed area.’ By identifying Kashmir as a disturbed
area, this act empowers the armed forces to search homes without warrant,
arrest Kashmiri people without warrant, destroy entire home and villages and
shoot innocent civilians in the streets with intent to kill. The United Nations
High Commissioner for Human Rights in her report issued on July8, 2019 states,
"The Armed Forces (Jammu and Kashmir) Special Powers Act 1990 (AFSPA)
remains a key obstacle to accountability. As described in the June 2018 OHCHR
report, this Act grants broad powers to the security forces operating in
Jammu and Kashmir and effectively bestows immunity on security forces from
prosecution in civilian courts for their conduct, by requiring the Central
Government to sanction all prospective prosecutions against such
personnel." Justice Rajinder Sachar, former Chief Justice of Delhi High
Court, during an event organized by ‘People’s Union for Civil Liberties’ on May
7, 2016, urged all to unite to pressurise the government to repeal sedition
laws and Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) . Dr. Syed Nazir Gilani,
President, Jammu Kashmir Council for Human Rights submitted a written statement
to the UN Human Rights Council on August 30, 2019. He elaborated that there was
a war going on between the people of Kashmir and the Indian Security forces.
The June 2018 and July 2019 reports by OHCHR have detailed the situation.
According to these reports “The Armed Forces (Jammu and Kashmir) Special Powers
Act (AFSPA) grants broad powers to the security forces in Jammu and Kashmir and
effectively bestows immunity on security forces from prosecution in civilian
courts for their conduct, by requiring the Central Government to sanction all
prospective prosecutions against such personnel”. For any of the above actions,
article 7 of the act, titled ‘protection of persons acting in good faith under
this act’ holds that ‘no prosecutions, suit or other legal proceeding shall be
instituted…against any person in respect to anything done or purported to be
done in exercise of the powers conferred by this act. This means that any
member of the armed forces who conducts the above-described human rights
violations – torture, summary executions of civilians, burning down homes and
villages, and arbitrary arrest – can do so with total immunity from
prosecution. These draconian laws violate articles 9 and 14 of the
International Covenant on Civil and Political rights (ICCPR). Currently, two dangerous
misunderstandings exist about the Kashmir issue. If allowed to continue, they
can destroy the potential of peace making in the subcontinent: These are:
(a) Kashmiris have been battered into submission by Indian forces through
these draconian laws. (b) India is
unbendingly opposed to giving up her occupation of Kashmir; so it is futile to
bring any pressure on her. As regards the first, one need only to recall what
happened to a nation as great as France under the 5-year Nazi occupation. That so many prominent Frenchmen and sections
of French society refused to offer any resistance to German forces; that men of
standing like Petain and Laval collaborated with the Nazis are undeniable
facts. Did they betoken even a limited
popularity of the Nazis? Certainly
not. All they brought out was the
opportunism of a few individuals or groups and the weakness inherent in human
nature when confronted with life’s necessities. The thinking runs along these lines: life is
to be lived; if an overarching issue is remaining undecided, one has
still to face relatively minor but pressing day-to-day matters and
one has to try to tackle them. If this happened in France in four or five years
of alien occupation, is it any wonder that it should happen in Kashmir after
seventy-four years of unremittingly suppressive alien rule. The second
misunderstanding arises from a superficial reading of realities. It is true
that successive governments in India have persistently presented a completely
intransigent front on the Kashmir issue. But if no cracks are visible in that
front, it is because no pressure whatsoever has been applied which would expose
the realities under the surface. During the last two years or so, particularly
since August 5, 2019, when Article 370 and 35A were abrogated, several articles
have appeared in the international press and even in mainstream India press written
by thoughtful Indians opposed to the official policy on the issue. They take
their stand not on morality but realistically on India’ own long-term interest.
That an unresolved Kashmir issue, the occupation of Kashmir in defiance of the
people’s wishes, has damaged India’s democratic credentials and hence her
standing and aspiration for an enhanced status in the United Nations is a point
of emphasis in their pleadings. Only shallow thinking will regard this
current of Indian opinion as inconsequential. If world powers want to help
bring about a peaceful settlement of the Kashmir dispute, it must demand from
India as a first step, the immediate repeal of these black laws. The world
powers and particularly, the United Nations Human Rights Council is in a
position to arrest the course of brutalities by examining and exposing the
situation and persuading both India and Pakistan that the way to bring peace
and stability to the region of South Asia is by resolving the Kashmir dispute
to the satisfaction of all parties concerned. Dr. Fai is the Secretary General
of Washington-based World Kashmir Awareness Forum. He can be reached at:
1-202-607-6435. Or gnfai2003@yahoo.com Courtesy: Daily Sabah,
Istanbul
4
One martyred; Nov.,
27, 2021; In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in
their fresh act of state terrorism martyred a youth in Poonch district. The
youth was martyred by Indian troops during a continued violent military
operation in Bhimber Gali, area of the district.
https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2021/11/26/india-troops-martyr-one-youth-in-poonch.html
Kashmir
Update 155: Week , Nov ,15, 2021 to Nov,22, 2021
1
Four martyred; Nov.,
16, 2021: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in
their fresh act of state terrorism martyred three Kashmiri businessmen and a
surgeon doctor in cold blood in Srinagar. The troops martyred a cement trader
Altaf Ahmad Butt, a property dealer, a tea stall owner and a dental surgeon
identified as Mudassar during a cordon and search operation (CASO) in Hyderpora
area of the city on Monday evening. Speaking to the media, martyr Altaf Butt’s niece Saima Butt said
that her uncle was a common man and was not involved in any militant activity
as claimed by the police. “My uncle has been murdered. He was used as a human
shield during the cordon and search operation. He ran a hardware shop and owned
the complex where the forces had come for checking,” said Saima. During protest at Press Enclave in Srinagar, family members of the
victims also demanded the return of bodies of the victims for proper burial.
“Police should return the body of my beloved son,” said the wailing mother of
victim Dr Mudasir, adding that her son was innocent. Other family members of
martyrs outrightly rejected police claim and added that all the martyrs were
innocent. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2021/11/16/indian-troops-martyr-three-traders-in-srinagar-in-cold-blood.html
2
Extra judicial killings; No 18,2021;
the international rights advocacy group headquartered in the US, has sought a
“credible and independent” probe into the allegations that a civilian was used
as a human shield during a shootout in Srinagar’s Hyderpora localit. Meenakshi
Ganguly, South Asia director of HRW, said it was the “responsibility of
security forces to keep civilians from harm during an armed operation, not to
place them in harm’s way.” “The authorities should immediately order a
transparent, credible and independent investigation into this incident,” The
killing of businessman Altaf Ahmad Bhat, father of three minor children, in a
controversial shootout that left four people dead in Srinagar, has sparked
allegations that he was used as a human shield by
security forces In a conflict situation, the Geneva Conventions, to which India
is a signatory, forbid the use of human shields who can be either civilians or
prisoners of war. A human shield is used by any side involved in a conflict in
a potentially life-threatening situation to achieve their own military
objectives. Eyewitnesses and family
members who spoke with The Wire said a search team of security forces
led by the J&K police asked Altaf, owner of the shopping complex in
Srinagar’s Hyderpora locality where the shootout took place, to accompany them
when they started the anti-militancy operation.
“If security forces knew there were militants inside the building, why
did they ask my brother to accompany them? They deliberately put him in harm’s
way. He was used as a human shield,” Altaf’s brother, Abdul Majid Bhat, told The
Wire, dismissing rumours that his brother was linked to militancy. Majid’s
claim has been corroborated by several eyewitnesses who saw the happenings at
the shopping complex when the search unit started the operation on Monday at
around 5:30 pm. Two eyewitnesses who spoke with The Wire on the
condition of anonymity, disclosed that when the search unit arrived,
counterinsurgency forces in the civvies were already deployed in the area,
“They asked the traders to down their shutters while other forces laid a cordon
around the complex,” said an eyewitness.Security forces then assembled the
traders and their workers in a two-wheeler showroom housed in the shopping
complex and seized their mobile phones. As the cordon was tightened, the search
unit attempted their first entry into the complex Habeeb Iqbal, a human rights lawyer based in
south Kashmir, said the statement of the J&K police suggests that Altaf was
asked to accompany them when the “possibility of a gunfight was high”, which is
“illegal The families of Altaf and Dr
Mudasir staged a protest in Srinagar’s Press Enclave on Wednesday evening,
demanding that the police must return their mortal remains so that they could
perform the last rites. Despite freezing cold conditions, the families, which
included the wife and one-year-old daughter of Dr Mudasir, were planning to
continue the protest through the night.“We don’t want justice. We only want the
body of my brother. We want to get a glimpse of his face and give him a decent
burial close to his home so that we can visit his grave and pray for him,”
Majid, Altaf’s brother said.
https://thewire.in/security/srinagar-encounter-eyewitnesses-civilians-human-shields-hrw-probe-demanded
3
One martyred: Nov.,
20. 2021: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in
their fresh act of state terrorism martyred one Kashmiri youth in Kulgam
district, today. According to Kashmir Media Service, the troops martyred the
youth during a cordon and search operation in Ashmuji area of the district. Indian troops
martyr one Kashmiri youth in Kulgam – Kashmir Media Service (kmsnews.org)
e
Kashmir
Update 154: Week , Nov ,8, 2021 to Nov,15, 2021
1
Bahraini lawmaker
and India: Nov., 11, 2021: Bahraini lawmaker, Abdulrazzaq Hattab,
has issued a scathing condemnation of India for the violence against Muslim
which has increased in the country over the years, threatening to start a
boycott of trade between the two countries. In a speech he gave in Bahrain's
parliament recently, Hattab spoke against the deliberate targeting of Muslims
by right-wing Hindu nationalists in India. "These practices are against
international laws and Abrahamic religions, and also contradict with humanity
and the country's obligation to provide safety to its citizens and their
freedom, regardless of their religion and beliefs," he said.
State-sanctioned and vigilante actions against Muslims have increased
significantly over the years under the current Indian government headed by
President Narendra Modi and his Hindu nationalist support base. According to
Hattab, that is especially seen in states like Assam and occupied Jammu and
Kashmir. The lawmaker added that "we strongly stand with respect to Islam
and the 150 million Muslims in India," and announced that if attacks
against Indian Muslims continue, "we will undergo severe action, including
trade boycott." Such a boycott is
predicted to have a significant impact, as trade between Manama and New Delhi
exceeds $105 billion annually. Hattab also revealed that he and others
"tried multiple times to meet with the Indian ambassador in Bahrain to
send our message to his government; however, he was making unjustified
excuses." The condemnation and the threat of a boycott by the Bahraini
lawmaker come two months after Kuwaiti lawmakers also condemned atrocities
committed against Muslims by India and Hindu extremists. https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20211110-bahrain-lawmaker-condemns-violence-against-muslims-in-india-threatens-trade-boycott/
2
Arunachal Pradesh and China: Nov., 12, 2021; The US report pointed out that China was
taking 'incremental and tactical' steps to press its claim, explicitly
referring to the construction of a 100-home civilian village in Arunachal
Pradesh. Following the publication of a US
government report that highlighted China’s construction of a village in
Arunachal Pradesh, India on Thursday reiterated that China has been undertaking
illegal construction activities “along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), which
New Delhi has always protested. Earlier this month, the US Department of
Defence’s (DOD) report to the Congress on the Chinese military had a special
section on the ongoing border standoff between India and China. The report had
also pointed out that China was taking “incremental and tactical” steps to
press its claim, explicitly referring to the construction of a 100-home
civilian village in Arunachal Pradesh in 2020. Bagchi then asserted that China
had “undertaken construction activities in the past several years along the
border areas including in the areas that it has illegally occupied over the
decades”.China claims approximately 38,000 square kilometres (sq. km) in the
Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. This is in addition to the 5,180 sq. km
that Pakistan signed off to China in 1963. Besides, China has also laid claim
to another 90,000 sq. km in the territory of Arunachal Pradesh. Since then,
there have been 13 rounds of Corps commander level meetings, which have
resulted in de-escalation at two points. However, there has been no progress on the other two remaining standoff locations. At
the last meeting in October, both sides issued accusatory statements against
each other for the collapse of talks. According to the observations in the
Pentagon report, China has expressed its intent to prevent the standoff from
spreading into a bigger military conflict. At the same time, the Chinese state
media have also asserted that Beijing does not intend to make any territorial
concessions. https://thewire.in/diplomacy/after-pentagon-report-india-reiterates-that-china-has-always-done-illegal-construction-at-lac
3 Three martyred: Nov., 12, 2021: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), Indian troops in their fresh acts of state terrorism, martyred two more Kashmiri youth in Kulgam and Srinagar districts, taking the toll to three since yesterday. A youth was martyred by the troops today morning during an ongoing cordon and search operation (CASO) in Chawalgam area of Kulgam district, taking the number of youth killed in the area to two. Earlier, a youth was martyred during the initial stages of the violent military operation, which began in Chawalgam area on Thursday. In Srinagar, the troops martyred a youth in a fake encounter during a separate cordon and search operation in Bemina area of the city. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2021/11/12/indian-troops-martyr-kashmiri-youth-in-srinagar.html
Kashmir
Update 153: Week , Nov ,1, 2021 to Nov,7, 2021
1
Farmers
protest and article 370: Oct, , 2021: Aam
Aadmi Party (AAP) convener and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal left a
meeting with a farmers’ delegation after having been repeatedly asked to
clarify his stance on the Union government’s decision to read down Article 370
in Jammu and Kashmir. It was Kejriwal and the local AAP unit’s decision to hold
a meeting with farmers. However, after hearing repeated queries from farmers on
his stand on Article 370, Kejriwal called them “political questions” and left
in a huff. Before leaving, Kejriwal was heard saying, “If you have any question
regarding farmers, you can ask me.” In
the video, Gurjant Singh Mansa, the district vice-president of the Punjab Kisan
Union, is seen asking Kejriwal whether he thinks that the reading down of
Article 370 is right or wrong. Hearing this question, Kejriwal asks, “How come
this is a farmer’s issue?” Gurjant then says, “It is an issue of the rights of
farmers and the state. Those who make such rules for us are the same people who
made these three farm “Whether it was
the reading down of Article 370 in J&K or the Essential Commodities (Amendment)
Act, Kejriwal was the first one to support BJP on these laws. He has been
toeing the line of the BJP and contests elections only to help the saffron
party. If BJP has not supported farmers, how can AAP support them? Farmers are
aware of their rights and instead of running away, Kejriwal should have
answered their queries,” Dimpa said.
.“J&K enjoyed special status under Article 370, which was similar to
Anandpur Sahib Resolution giving greater autonomy to states and restricting the
role of the Union government to defence, foreign relations, currency and
communication. Today, farmers have become aware of their rights and they want
to hold the politicians accountable for their words. The manner in which
Kejriwal fled from the meeting shows that he failed to address the queries of
farmers,” Nauli said.
https://thewire.in/politics/arvind-kejriwal-farmers-article-370
2
Khalistan
referendum: Nov., 1, 2021: Thousands of Sikhs
across the United Kingdom took part in a referendum for an independent Sikh
homeland, Khalistan, at the Queen Elizabeth Centre near the British parliament
on Sunday — the day when Indian premier Indira Gandhi was assassinated in 1984
for ordering Operation Blue Star in a bid to curb the Sikh movement. The
voting, organsied by Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), started at 9am and continued till
6pm under the supervision and monitoring of a non-aligned panel of direct
democracy experts, the Punjab Referendum Commission (PRC). Thousands who took part in the voting process responded to
the question: “Should Indian-governed Punjab Be An Independent Country?" Chartered
buses from more than 100 Gurdwaras transported voters to the Queen Elizabeth
Centre where large queues formed throughout the day as eager voters aimed to
get into the hall to cast their votes. More than 200 Sikhs volunteered for the
day. Gurpatwant Singh Pannun said the SFJ is an international human rights
advocacy group that spearheads the campaign for Sikhs’ right to
self-determination, which is one of the fundamental rights of all people guaranteed
in the UN Charter. He said India had propagated for long that only a few dozen
Sikhs were behind the Khalistan movement but the participation by thousands of
people in India had shown to the world that Khalistan had the support of tens
of millions of Sikhs across the world. Pannun said that the findings of the
referendum will be shared with the United Nations and pther international
bodies to create a wider consensus.
Pamma, who has been acting as the UK Coordinator for
Khalistan Referendum, further stated that the successful participation showed
that Sikhs will never forget what India has done to them to annihilate their
identity and history. He said that Sikhs have realized that their salvation
lies only when they live in an independent homeland called Khalistan. “Today,
thousands of Sikhs have exercised their democratic right for independence from
India. Sikhs will gain independence from India and that will happen at any
cost. This is our birthright and we will get our right to freedom under the internationally
recognised laws," said Pamma. He said that after the UK, the referendum
would take place in other countries including the US, Canada, Australia, and
the region of Punjab https://www.geo.tv/latest/379407-thousands-of-sikhs-vote-for-khalistan-in-referendum-in-united-kingdom
3
Jammu Martyrs’ Day :
Nov., 5, 2021:Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control and the world over
will observe the Jammu Martyrs’ Day on Saturday to reaffirm the resolve to
continue the martyrs’ mission till the realization of their inalienable right
to self-determination. Hundreds of thousands of Kashmiris were massacred by the
forces of Maharaja Hari Singh, Indian army and Hindu extremists in different
parts of Jammu region while they were migrating to Pakistan during the first
week of November in 1947 https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2021/11/04/jammu-martyrs-day-to-be-observed-on-saturday.html
4
Global expression of
solidarity with Kashmiris must: Nov., 6, 2021:
Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed
said that it is very painful to state
that on one hand Security Council resolutions call for Kashmir’s right to
self-determination under United Nations supervised plebiscite, and on the other
hand ‘The International People’s Tribunal on Jammu & Kashmir’ have
discovered thousands of unnamed and unmarked mass graves in Jammu &
Kashmir. He reminded that the demographic changes are taking place in the
IIOJ&K and about 4.1 million new domiciles have been issued to non-Kashmiris
brought from the mainland India, which is a violation of the Indian
constitution and international law. Senator Hussain warned that the Indian
regime is not providing medical facilities to the jailed freedom-loving
Kashmiris, like Yasin Malik, Aasia Andrabi and others. India is also violating
the basic rights of freedom of speech and any Kashmiri who writes anything on
the digital media, is pushed behind bars under the notorious ‘Unlawful Activity
Prevention Act’ (UAPA) laws. The time is ripe to internationalize the Kashmir
issue and there should be global expression of solidarity with the oppressed
people of Kashmir. Let us send a strong message to the people of Kashmir who
are struggling and sacrificing against Indian occupation that Kashmir cause is
above any partisan politics and support to the Kashmir cause is unwavering,
Senator Hussain underscored. Welcoming the participants to the Kashmir Black
Day, Ambassador (Dr.) Asad Majeed Khan said that it is our collective responsibility
to sensitize the world powers, including the United States on the plight of
Kashmiri people and urged them to play their role in resolving the Kashmir
dispute as envisaged in the UNSC Resolutions and in accordance with wishes of
the Kashmiri people. Ambassador Khan said that the abrogation of Article 370
& 35A were in contravention to India’s commitments to the United Nations. He
added that the illegal and immoral actions taken by Indian army in occupied
Kashmir poses a serious peace and security threat in the region of South Asia
and called the world powers to urge India to end its human rights violations in
IIOJK and rescind illegal and unilateral actions taken on August 5, 2019. Dr.
Ghulam Nabi Fai, Secretary General, World Kashmir Awareness Forum said “The
Kashmiris only want to be given the same opportunity to determine their future
policy that was accorded to the rest of the people of the undivided India in
1947. The first liberation war was waged that year and had all but succeeded
had India not intervened militarily to enslave the people of the former
princely state of Jammu & Kashmir. Subsequently, the question of Kashmir’s
future was taken to the United Nations, by India itself, be it noted, and it
was at the world assembly that India promised the free exercise of the right of
self-determination to the people of Kashmir. It has never honored that
promise.” Dr. Fai explained that since 1990, there has been a mass uprising of
freedom from Indian occupation in Kashmir. India’s response has been brutal. At
least, 100,000 innocent people have been killed by Indian occupation forces,
thousand women raped, hundreds of villages burnt or raged to the ground, green
fields laid to waste and the most beautiful piece of land on earth turned into
a crucible of hate and violence. Fai asked: How long will the world powers
watch in silence as India carries out the genocide of the people of Kashmir?
This is a question the Kashmiris are asking too. World powers should persuade
India to stop the killing; to end the repression; to revoke Domicile Law which
is designed to change the demography of the State of Jammu & Kashmir; and
to fulfill its promise so that a new era of good will, peace & prosperity
can dawn into Subcontinent. Meanwhile, the United Nations must establish the
necessary conditions for the holding of a free and impartial plebiscite in
Jammu & Kashmir. “Time is not on the side of Kashmiris. Everyday more and
more atrocities are committed by Indian army; everybody a larger segment of the
Kashmir’s population becomes alienated. Therefore, we ask the Biden
Administration to take a principled and practical stand on the Kashmir issue
and state its support for the human rights of the people of Jammu &
Kashmir, and from a practical solution to easing nuclear tensions in the region
by resolving the root cause of the India-Pakistan crisis: the continued denial
of the Kashmir people’s right to self-determination,” Fai added. Dr. Imtiaz
Khan, Professor at George Washington University Medical Center said that denial
of right to self-determination has resulted in the suffering of the people of
Kashmir. It is also an imminent threat to the security of the region. Dr. Khan
gave detailed account of the numerous massacres in Kashmir, including
Chattisingpora, Beijbehara, Mashali Mohala, Sopore, Hnadwara, Gawkadal.
He also reminded the audience about Kunan-Poshpora when Indian army gang raped
over 100 innocent women, between the ages of 10 to 70. Justice is yet to be
delivered, despite the lapse of 30 long years. And world powers do not realize
that the deadly cost of their silence and inaction in this regard. The Kashmir
cause received great momentum and support with the report issued by the United
Nations High Commissioner on Human Rights which called for a fact-finding mission
on this issue. The assertion of Antonio Guterres that Kashmir issue should be
resolved under UN Charter and applicable UN Security Council resolutions
testifies the international sanctity of the Kashmir cause. Dr. Khan urged the
UN Secretary General to take effective and immediate measures: first to bring
the atrocities to an end, second, to bring parties together for a peaceful
settlement of the Kashmir dispute. Ambassador Tauqir Hussain, Adjunct Professor
at Georgetown University said that he always believed any peaceful resolution
of the Kashmir dispute can only happen in the context of India- Pakistan
relations. It had been India’s desire to make Pakistan and the context of India
Pakistan relations irrelevant to the Kashmir dispute. And instead follow the
third option that is of finding an internal solution to the problem without the
involvement of Pakistan and the international community. But the United Nations
resolutions and Article 370 were standing in the way as both had given locus
standi to Pakistan and the international community. The need for the linkage in
a dialogue has never been greater. If India is not interested in such a
dialogue where Kashmir is the central agenda why should Pakistan be? Pakistan
needs to enhance its influence with the international community, especially big
powers more so the United States. One must appeal to their national interests.
The context of doing that is an improved US Pakistan relationship where
Pakistan is relevant to American scheme of things. Pakistan will have a voice
then. Ambassador Hussain underscored that ironically, by slamming the door shut
on the international community, India may have overreached itself
diplomatically. In trying to make Pakistan irrelevant to Kashmir, India has
made it even more relevant. Both the Kashmiris and Pakistan have now nowhere
else to go. Colonel Wes Martin (Ret.), Iraqi war veteran highlighted the human
rights atrocities being committed by the Indian army in Kashmir. He hoped that
the United States intervention can bring it to a halt if it takes a firm stand
against India’s illegal actions in Kashmir, particularly since August 5, 2019. India’s
claim that Kashmir is its internal matter has been rejected by the United
Nations which believes that Kashmir conflict has to be resolved under UN
Charter and applicable UN Security Council resolutions. Col. Martin added that
Kashmir was known as paradise. Now because of India’s actions, the paradise
does not exist anymore. India has enacted new laws to change the demography of
Kashmir. Mass graves have been discovered there. Now is the time that we need
to become the voice of the people of Kashmir. Among others, following Kashmiri
Americans were present: Saleem Qadri, Sardar Zarif Khan, Shoaib Irshad, Akram
Butt, etc. Dr. Fai can be reached at: 1-202-607-6435. Or. gnfai2003@yahoo.com
5
Khalistan:
Nov., , 2021: Leading pro-Khalistan group Sikhs For
Justice (SFJ) has won the first round of a major defamation case at the
Superior Court of Ontario, Canada, against veteran CBC journalist
Terry Milewski and conservative leaning public policy think tank
Macdonald-Laurier Institute (MLI) over allegations that SFJ and its Khalistan
Referendum campaign is a project influenced and financed by Pakistan. Terry
Milewski, the author of the report “Khalistan:
A Project of Pakistan”, and Macdonald-Laurier Institute (MLI),
the publisher of the anti-Khalistan report, had attempted to get the defamation
case dismissed by the Superior Court of Ontario but the presiding judge Justice
William Black, after reviewing the evidence,
ruled that the claim of defamation brought by SFJ
will be allowed to proceed to a trial and ordered the defendants Terry and MLI
to pay to the SFJ the cost for the legal fee. The ruling by Justice Black means
the defamation claim will be allowed to proceed to trial unless the plaintiff
SFJ and the defendants Terry-MLI reach a settlement. The case by the SFJ goes
back to the publication of a controversial report published on September 9,
2020, by Terry Milewski and the MLI titled, “Khalistan: A Project of Pakistan”.
The report published by the defendants claimed that the campaign for an
independent Sikh state, and specifically, the Referendum 2020 campaign
organised by SFJ, was not a project on behalf of the Sikh people, but instead
was a “project of Pakistan”. The report alleged that SFJ was influenced or
controlled by Pakistan; that its referendum campaign was being driven by
Pakistan; that SFJ does not actually represent Sikh people; that it serves
Pakistan and speaks for Pakistan; and finally, that Pakistan is the SFJ’s
patron and sets limits on its campaign. The 24-page report was jubilantly
celebrated and widely circulated by the Indian media and diplomatic missions
abroad. It was used by Indian media and Indian missions to accuse Pakistan’s
premier intelligence agency the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) of being
involved in backing the SFJ and its Khalistan Referendum campaign. SFJ filed a
defamation lawsuit against Terry and MLI claiming that allegations of
SFJ-Pakistan nexus, funding and influence are totally baseless, false and
without evidence and have caused serious damage to SFJ’s reputation as a human
rights NGO working for the cause of self-determination for the Sikh people and
the creation of an independent homeland Khalistan in the Indian region of
Punjab In short, the court ruled that
the lawsuit is a legitimate defamation action brought in circumstances where
the SFJ, a non-violent organisation advocating for Sikh self-determination,
should have the right to pursue a remedy. On cross-examination, Milewski
conceded a lack of evidence in support of key facts. He conceded that he does
not know whether Pakistan is involved in any way in the SFJ’s referendum
campaign and said he has no evidence to suggest the SFJ is financially supported
by Pakistan. He further said that he has no evidence of any organisational
involvement between Pakistan and the SFJ. The Canadian author conceded that he
does not know if Pakistan is involved or has any influence in the SFJ’s
Khalistan Referendum campaign. The article had alleged that American lawyer
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who leads the SFJ, had “undying solidarity with
Pakistan”. In the court cross-examination, Milewski accepted that the fact that
Pakistan and the SFJ may share a common interest (in opposing India) but it
does not mean one entity is influencing the other. Milewski also conceded that
he was aware of other communications between Pannun and the SFJ in which the
SFJ has been harshly critical of Pakistan, as well as a recent dispute between
the SFJ and Pakistan, neither of which was mentioned in the report as it would
go against the bias contained therein. Some of the false statements in the
report alleged that “it’s Pakistanis, not Khalistanis, who are driving the
campaign”; “it’s clear who’s really driving the Khalistan bus: Pakistan”; SFJ
has “undying solidarity with Pakistan” ; “extremists animated by Pakistan seek
to distort history and betray the vast majority of Sikhs who live in peace and
freedom”; SJF does not “speak for the Sikh community; The evidence, instead,
suggests that they speak for Pakistan”; and that Pakistan is the SFJ’s “patron”
and “sets the limits” on the campaign. In the court, Milewski had attempted to
argue that his report presented his “opinion” rather than “facts” but Justice
Black recognised that Milewski’s public tweets defended the article as factual
and this was inconsistent with his position on the motion. Milewski also
attempted to argue the defence of “responsible communication” but Justice Black
found that a trial judge may reject this defence on the basis of lack of
diligence by Milewski who did not even contact the SFJ for comment before
publishing the false statements. The Canadian court’s ruling in favour of the
SFJ came just days before the group kickstarted on October 31 from London, UK,
voting in its groundbreaking initiative of holding the first ever global
referendum on the question of Khalistan. Over 30,000 Sikhs
from around London showed up to vote on
the opening day of Khalistan Referendum in London which prompted Indian Prime
Minister Narendra Modi to set aside other
issues and instead raise the SFJ-Khalistan Referendum issue with his British
counterpart during their brief meeting at COP26. SFJ
has been banned by India since 2019 on account of running a secessionist
referendum campaign, however, the group continues to operate unrestricted in
western democracies where freedom to express, through peaceful means such as
holding a referendum, a dissenting political opinion, is considered sacred and
inviolable. The most obvious examples of such freedoms include: UK, despite
Indian requests, allowing
Khalistan Referendum activities
including October 31 voting on Khalistan in a government managed conference
centre; the then
Canadian PM Harper stating on record that
Khalistan is a political opinion with which many may not agree but Canadian
Sikhs have the right to peacefully advocate for Khalistan; and the American State Department spokesman that
freedom of speech is a bedrock of the American constitution and the principle
of democracy, while responding to a question by an Indian journalist on why
America is allowing the SFJ and its Khalistan Referendum activities to take
place on US soil. https://www.geo.tv/latest/380712-sikh-group-in-canada-scores-first-win-in-defamation-case-over-allegations-of-pakistans-backing
Kashmir Update 152: Week , Oct ,25, 2021 to Oct,31 2021
1
Black day: October 27
, 2021: Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control and the world over
are observing Black Day, today, the 27th October, to convey to the world that
they reject India’s illegal occupation of their homeland and will continue
their struggle to achieve their inalienable right to self-determination. The
day was marked with a shutdown in occupied Kashmir and rallies in world
capitals. Call for the shutdown was given by the APHC, Hurriyat forum led by
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and supported by other pro-freedom organizations. Shops and
business establishments remained closed in Srinagar and other areas of the
valley. The occupation authorities deployed Indian troops and police personnel
in strength across the territory to prevent people from holding anti-India
demonstrations. It was on this day in 1947 when Indian troops had invaded Jammu
and Kashmir and occupied it in total disregard to the partition plan of the
Subcontinent and against the aspirations of the Kashmiris. The United Nations
Security Council passed several resolutions mandating a plebiscite in Jammu and
Kashmir to determine the future of the territory. However, the World Body is
yet to implement these resolutions, despite the passing of more than six
decades. The Hurriyat leaders in their statements said that Kashmiris on this
day send a loud and clear message to India and world community that they reject
illegal occupation of India of their homeland, adding that the unresolved
Kashmir dispute had increased the suffering of the Kashmiris.
https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2021/10/27/kashmiris-observe-black-day-today.html
2
Youth
martyred: October 28. 2021: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), Indian
troops in their fresh act of state terrorism martyred one Kashmiri youth in
Baramulla district. The troops martyred the youth, Javed Ahmad, resident of
Kulgam district, during a cordon and search operation in Cherdari area of the district.
https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2021/10/28/indian-troops-martyr-kashmiri-youth-in-baramulla.html
3
Digital advertising trucks in two US cities flash Kashmir
freedom message :Syed Fai nabbasahib@gmail.com; Oct 28, 2021 : The World Kashmir Awareness Forum (WKAF), a Washington-based
advocacy body, rented digital advertising trucks -- one in New York and other
in Washington -- displaying sharp messages about Indian atrocities in Kashmir
and demanding an end to the disputed state's occupation The
electronic screens on the trucks carry messages such as: "Kashmir under
Indian siege: Knocking at world Conscience", "Indian occupied
Kashmir: World's most militarized zone," "Stop Genocide in Kashmir,
"End Indian Colonization of Kashmir", "India criminalizes press
freedom in Kashmir", Indian Army Out, Out", "Hold India
accountable for war crimes in Kashmir", and "Freedom for all, freedom
for Kashmir" The trucks appeared on the two cities' roads on Oct. 27, the
darkest day in Kashmir's history when India sent in its troops in 1947 to
occupy the state. Digital advertising trucks are considered to be the most effective
way to spread a message as the brightly lit words on the screens catch
attention of the people walking on the streets and those coming in and out of
government and commercial buildings.
"Our objective was to target
the audience at the right places and we were able to control the location where
most of the people were able to notice our messages aimed at promoting the
cause of Kashmir", Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Secretary-General of the
forum told APP. The route of digital truck in Washington included: All federal
buildings, including the State Department; the Capitol Hill; Library of
Congress; The Washington Monument; The White House; various Museums; Lincoln
Memorial; Washington National Cathedral; the Indian Embassy; the World Bank and
IMF. The forum also held a protest in front of the Indian Embassy in
Washington on Wednesday to mark the Black Day. In New York, the digital
advertising truck went round and round the United Nations headquarters, Indian
Mission; Indian Consulate; Times Square; Freedom Tower; among
other locations. The forum also had a protest in New York along with Kashmir
Mission USA at Times Square. (APP/ift)
4
The Tyranny Continues:
October 27, 1947 – Day of Occupation:
Jakarta, Indonesia. October 27, 2021:“October 27 marks the beginning of Indian Occupation of the
disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It is forever scarred in the
collective minds of the Kashmiri people as the day they became
occupied. India's attempt to legalize its illegality rests on a bogus
instrument of accession by a Maharaja, which the ruler had not authority to
sign in any event. British historian, Alaister Lamb has convincingly demonstrated
that the Instrument was bogus as an original has never been found, and there is
no plausible explanation for a disappearance of an original had it ever
existed,” this was stated by Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Secretary General, World Kashmir
Awareness Forum (WKAF)), at a webinar, organized by Paramadina University,
Jakarta, Indonesia. Other speakers included: Prof Dr. Didik J. Rachbini, Rector,
Paramadina University; Ambassador, Muhammad Hassan, Pakistani Ambassador to
Indonesia; Dr. Siti Khadijah, State Islamic University, Jakarta; Dr. Mochtar
Mahrum, Tadulako University, Sulawesi;
Dr. Pipip A. Rifai Hasan, Paramadina University; Dr. Muhammad Najib Azca, Gajah
Mada University, Yogyakarta; Drs. Nur Munir, MTS,MAJS, University of Indonesia;
Prof. Dr. Darni M. Daud, Syiah Kuala University,Aceh; Ass. Prof. Dr. Hadza
Min Fadhli Rabbi, Islamic University of
Indonesia, Yogyakarta; Dr. Zahir Khan; Mr. Joko Arizal. “We must
mention here that, by no stretch of the imagination, can the situation in
Kashmir be treated as India’s internal matter, as India argues. Kashmir is
recognized as a disputed territory under international law and the United Nations
bears the responsibility of preventing the massive violations of human rights
that are being committed by the Indian occupation regime. The movement in
Kashmir is not secessionist because Kashmir cannot secede from India to which
it never acceded to in the first place,” Fai added. Dr. Fai warned: “We must
mention here that even by today’s violent world, the behavior of the Indian
occupation regime in Kashmir is singular in as much as it has enjoyed total
immunity. Not a word of condemnation has been uttered at the important capitols
of the world, not even a call on India to cease and desist from its near-
genocidal campaign. This is not merely a case of passivity and inaction; in
practical effect, it amounts to an abetment and encouragement of murderous
tyranny. If tyranny is not condoned inside the territory of a member state of
the United Nations, is there not greater reason for the United Nations to
intervene when the territory is one whose disposition is to be determine
through a fair vote under the impartial auspices of the world organization.
Nevertheless, we still have confidence that the world powers will realize that
what is at stake in the dispute is not only the survival of the people of
Kashmir, but peace in the populous region of South Asia and also the basis of a
civilized worldview.” Dr. Fai noted that the denial of self-determination has brought
death and destruction to the people of Kashmir.
Kashmir has been brutally victimized by human rights violations
perpetrated by 900,000 Indian military and paramilitary personnel. During the
past three decades alone, more than 100,000 Kashmiris have been killed because
of India's mammoth military occupation and savagery. Yet the international community has remained
largely passive, and crowned India with a veto power over outside intervention. In addition,
India’s refusal to accept international mediation seems to shut the door on any
kind of international dialogue regarding Kashmir. The Kashmiris are shut in,
and the outside world out. It is quite conspicuous that the world powers feel
awkward and unequipped to intervene in any international conflict because the
country concerned is too powerful and does not listen to morals and ethics when
everyone has his wallet on the table. Although the human rights
situation in Kashmir is depressing but we must hail the resoluteness of the
people of Kashmir in carrying forward their struggle for pursuing their
cherished goal of freedom. The militarization of the state not only had
worsened psycho-traumatic situation, but it was taking a toll of the state
economy, agriculture, and production of the state by converting more and more
areas into cantonments. Fai believes that a just and lasting settlement of the dispute is
possible only through tripartite negotiations between the Governments of India
and Pakistan and the legitimate leadership of the people of the State of Jammu
and Kashmir. In fact, a ‘Kashmir Quartet’ should be established that includes
Kashmir, Pakistan, China, and India. Moreover, outside intervention and
mediation should include the United Nations. The chairmanship of the Kashmir
Quartet mediation should be undertaken by a person of international stature,
such as Kjell Bondevik former prime minister of Norway or President Mary
Robinson of Ireland. Today, the challenge before us is that a new generation in Kashmir
has been raised with blood and tears for which death no longer poses a threat
for what can death do that life has not done before: their suffering is freeing
them from fear. Kashmiris’ fearlessness has led to the powerful protests and
the largest demonstrations in recent years. The presence of hundreds of
thousands of people on the streets of Srinagar, marching towards the office of
the UNMOGIP, is a proof that the freedom struggle is not a terroristic movement
but a movement that is indigenous, spontaneous, peaceful, and popular. We thank the
Secretary General of the United Nations for articulating the principle stand
that Kashmir issue has to be resolved under UN Charter and applicable United
Nations Security Council resolutions. We, therefore, urge the Secretary General
to intensify his watch over the situation in Kashmir and initiate a peace
process to settle the Kashmir dispute to the satisfaction of all parties
concerned.Dr. Fai is the Secretary General, Washington-based World Kashmir
Awareness Forum.
5 Internet in IOJK: Oct , 31, 2021: Kashmir is not unaccustomed to extraordinary measures, of which it is on the receiving end, when it comes to security. In 2019 after the Pulwama suicide attack, authorities placed prohibitions on public movement along the National Highway in the Valley, withholding access to the crucial road for all except military vehicles, twice a week. Since the period had coincided with the export of fruit, the ban dealt a severe blow to the region’s apple economy. It also affected pregnant women from all over South Kashmir whose access to the GB Pant Children’s Hospital, located on the highway upon entry into Srinagar city, was restricted. That year, the arrivals of expectant mothers to the hospital declined up to 50% for the entire month during which the ban was in place. Earlier this year, the government imposed a blanket ban on the sale, transportation, storage and use of drones in Srinagar and Baramulla districts right after forces reported a string of militant attacks involving the use of drones, including the one at the Jammu airport. The ban has since left dozens of commercial drone operators in the lurch, throwing a wrench at their business. Before that, a series of hit-and-run attacks in Srinagar city in February led to an unofficial ‘ban’ on the pheran, a loose Kashmiri winter garment made of tweed, with commuters being asked to take them off at police and CRPF checkpoints. Recently, J&K police seized hundreds of bikes and scooters including those of riders who possessed all necessary documents. This adversely affected the online delivery business. Now, the J&K administration appears to have changed tactic. Users in parts of Srinagar and Pulwama are complaining about spells of internet shutdowns. The Wire got in touch with several users including academics, entrepreneurs and journalists who said that the outages were unannounced, unofficial and sudden. Authorities had recently shut down internet sporadically in several parts of Srinagar in the aftermath of a series of attacks targeting members of the minority community and migrant workers in the region. One could access the internet, let’s say, near Hazratbal area in the city, but found that data connections suddenly snapped while turning the car towards Nowhatta, a neighbourhood prone to stone pelting. Then mobile data would suddenly spring into life as one approached the Fateh Kadal area. But on October 19, these restrictions were reportedly lifted. Many users still complained that their internet access is shut for most of the day. Services, they say, resume mostly between 10 pm and 11 pm and continue through the night. “We have been facing this situation since a gunfight took place in Pampore on October 16,” said Safina Nabi, an independent journalist from Pulwama town. “Internet works consistently only between 11 pm to 4 am. As for the day, services are erratic or sometimes we have none at all.” Nabi shuttles between Srinagar and Pampore, where she resides, everyday, just to make sure her work does not suffer on account of lack of internet connectivity. “I am not associated with any publication. I pitch stories and need to research a lot. My work requires me to be in continuous correspondence with editors. Social media platforms enable me to find new contacts and interact with more people. How many times will I have to rush to Srinagar? It takes four hours to make a back-and-forth journey.”Nabi says she struggles to strike a balance between commuting and working on her stories. “I will lose out if I don’t file my stories on time,” she said. Other residents also complained of similar periodic shutdowns. “My daughter studies in an elementary school and she was supposed to sit for online exams at 10.30 am today. But the services were yet to resume and I had to later call her teachers who rescheduled the test for 11 am,” said father from Pampore who requested anonymity because he is a government employee. Residents of some parts of Srinagar have made social media post to register their outrage at the internet shutdowns at “select” hours. “My eight-year-old nephew had a class/exam today at 4:30 but the mobile internet wasn’t working (it only works in the night and in the day from 11 – 4) and airtel fiber never works at home so he travelled 5 kms with his mom and gave that class in a car,” tweeted @BandaySaab, a Srinagar based user. The Wire also spoke to several users in Srinagar neighbourhoods like Safa Kadal who confirmed similar intermittent restrictions in their areas. A search through the website of the General Administration Department which reports to the Lieutenant Governor also did not reveal any order authorising the latest restrictions. The Twitter handle of the Directorate of Public Relations, J&K whose timeline was once awash with internet ban orders before the restoration of 4G services in February 2021, also did not have any such order. If indeed there is a legal order which backs the selective internet restrictions being reported by residents, they have not been put in the public domain in a manner in which the J&K government would previously do so. AccessNow, a non profit, estimates that the Indian government mutes the internet more than any other country in the world. A majority of these outages take place in J&K. Of 548 internet shutdowns being recorded in India since 2012, 317 have taken place in J&K alone. Software Freedom Law Centre says 41 shutdowns were imposed in India in 2021, of which 16, as per AccessNow, have occurred in J&K. The last internet outage reported by SFLC in J&K took place at Shopian on October 24. This coincides with the killing of a civilian Shahid Aijaz near CRPF camp at Zainapora village in the district. As per a report by Jammu & Kashmir Coalition of Civil Societies (JKCCS), the legal mechanism underpinning the shutdowns in the Valley has historically remained shrouded in secrecy, with officials, while responding to litigations in the court, furnishing vaguely worded orders under Section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code. That changed in the year 2017 with the enactment of Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules 2017. Since then, all such suspension orders were supposed to be made publicly available, a timeframe for suspension specified and a review committee set up. in recent times, the Supreme Court laid down strict guidelines for internet shutdowns. The court held that blacking out internet services indefinitely was not permissible under the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Service) Rules, 2017 as the suspension can only be availed temporarily and that all such orders are subject to judicial review. Though the judgement stopped short of calling the access to internet a fundamental right, it did however, endorse the principle of proportionality for internet shutdowns while reading procedural safeguards into the Telecom Suspension Rules. In the judgment, the court said that “competent authorities are directed to publish all orders in force and any future orders under Section 144, CrPC and for suspension of telecom services including the Internet to enable the affected persons to challenge it before the High Court or appropriate forum.” It also held that “any order suspending the internet issued under the Suspension Rules, must adhere to the principle of proportionality and must not extend beyond necessary duration” and must be “subject to judicial review.” It also outlined the remit of Section 144, calling it “remedial and preventive, exercisable…when there is an apprehension of [such] danger”…as deemed to be “in the nature of an “emergency” and for the purpose of preventing obstruction and annoyance or injury to any person lawfully employed.” It held that the power under Section 144 “cannot be used to suppress legitimate expression of opinion or grievance or exercise of any democratic rights” while also underscoring the need for application of mind. Most importantly, the judgment held that “the Magistrate is duty bound to balance the rights and restrictions based on the principles of proportionality and thereafter, apply the least intrusive measure.” It’s worth mentioning here that during the court proceedings, while hearing Bhasin’s petition, the judges had asked the J&K administration to produce the orders under which it sanctioned the suspensions, and then noted: “The respondent (state) placed on record only sample orders, citing difficulty in producing the numerous orders which were being withdrawn and modified on a day to day basis.” In the verdict however, the court termed issuing repetitive orders, under Section 144, as an “abuse of power.” https://thewire.in/rights/kashmir-residents-are-now-facing-unannounced-unaccounted-for-internet-restrictions
Kashmir Update 151: Week , Oct ,18, 2021 to Oct,24 ,2021
1
LaC
trouble; Oct 10 2021; Indian
and Chinese troops were engaged in a brief face-off near Yangtse in the Tawang
sector of Arunachal Pradesh, last week. Indian media quoting the people
familiar with the development reported on Friday that the face-off was resolved
following talks between local commanders of the two sides as per established
protocols The incident came to light
days before another round of high-level military talks between the two sides on
the eastern Ladakh row. The Corps Commander level talks are likely to take
place within the next three-four days
https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2021/10/08/indian-chinese-troops-engaged-in-brief-face-off-in-arunachal-pradesh.html
2
UK Protest; OCt 19 2021: Tehreek-e-Kashmir, UK,
held an anti-India and pro-Kashmir freedom protest outside the Indian Consulate
in Birmingham. Hundreds of Kashmiris, Pakistanis and global human rights
activists attended the protest. The protesters gathered to express solidarity
with the Kashmiris. They raised slogans like “Stop killings in Kashmir”, “We
want freedom”, Indian army out” and “Free Kashmir. political leaders also strongly condemned the
extrajudicial killings of Kashmiris by the Indian forces and the arrest of over
1500 Kashmiris on false charges in one of the biggest ever-crackdowns in Indian
illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2021/10/18/british-kashmiris-stage-anti-india-protest-in-birmingham.html
3
Four
martyred; October 20: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in
their fresh act of state terrorism martyred two more Kashmiri youth, raising
the toll to four, today. The troops martyred two youth during a cordon and
search operation, this evening, in Devsar area of Kulgam district Earlier in the morning today, the troops
martyred two youth in a military operation in Draged area of the Shopian
district. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2021/10/20/indian-troops-martyr-two-more-youth-today-raising-toll-to-4-in-iiojk.html
4 Time, for Kashmiris to determine their own future;Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai; October 22, 2021; At the last U.N. General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, President Recep Tayyip ErdoÄŸan said, "We maintain our stance in favor of solving the ongoing problem in Kashmir for 74 years, through dialogue between the parties and within the framework of relevant United Nations resolutions." The Kashmir dispute is one of the oldest unresolved international problems in the world and has been on the agenda of the U.N. Security Council (UNSC) since 1948. While the international community has been engaged all along and believes that Kashmir is an internationally disputed territory, and has voiced through numerous UN resolutions that its people should be given the right to determine their own future, India is now engaging in an effort to make the matter solely a domestic issue which no one, not even the Kashmiris themselves, may have a voice in. This effort at the Indianization of Kashmir, more so after abrogation of Article 370 & 35 A, is seen where the central politics and administrative control are dominated by New Delhi with all the decisions being favorable to New Delhi. The limited autonomy that Kashmir has enjoyed was completely subverted on August 5, 2019. Today, Kashmir conflict is perhaps the most dangerous conflict in the world because of the spiraling nuclear and missile race between India and Pakistan coupled with historical enmities that have occasioned three wars between the two rivals. It is implausible to believe that these two neighboring countries will either cap or renounce their respective nuclear genies after they have escaped the South Asian bottle unless the chief source of antagonism between the two -- Kashmir -- is resolved. It is symptomatic of the approach of the world powers that greater emphasis is placed on the “reduction of tensions” than on the settlement of the core issue, i.e., Kashmir. This encourages giving importance to superficial moves and temporary solutions even though it is known that such moves and solutions do not soften the animosities of the parties nor allay the life-and-death concerns and anxieties of the people most directly affected. An indication of this misplaced focus is the wrong-headed talk about the “sanctity” of the line of control in Kashmir. It is forgotten that this line was originally formalized by the international agreements as a temporary cease-fire line pending the demilitarization of the State and the holding of a plebiscite under impartial control to determine its future. As long as this line will remain clamped down on the state, it will continue to impose a heavy toll of death on the people of the land. They have had no hand in creating it. It has cut through their homes, separated families and, what is worse, served as a protecting wall for massive violations of human rights. They are not resigned to it becoming some kind of a border. Kashmiris wish to emphasize that their land is not real estate which can be parceled out between two disputants, but the home of a nation with a history far more compact and coherent than India's and far longer than Pakistan's. To treat this line overtly or otherwise as a basis for the partition of the State is to reward obduracy, countenance iniquity, encourage tyranny and oppression and destroy the hopes for peace in accordance with justice and rationality in Kashmir. To regard this line as a solution is to regard disease as remedy. Any kind of agreement procured to that end, under any foreign influence, will not only not endure; it will invite resentment and revolt against whichever leadership in Kashmir will sponsor or subscribe to it. Sir Benegal Rama Rau, Indian delegate to the United Nations admitted at the Security Council on March 1, 1951, “The people of Kashmir are not mere chattels to be disposed of according to a rigid formula; their future must be decided on their own interest and in accordance with their own desires.” Dr. Syed Nazir Gilani has stated it well on October 14, 2021, “The United Nations (India and Pakistan as member nations and as parties) have recognised ‘the rights and dignity, the security and the self-determination of the historic people of Jammu & Kashmir.’ Dr. Gilani reminded India when she explained “the human aspect of the problem” at the 533rd Meeting of Security Council held on 01 March 1951. It has stated that, “The people of Kashmir are not mere chattels to be disposed of according to a rigid formula; their future must be decided in their own interests and in accordance with their own desires.” Meanwhile the U.S., the sole superpower in the world which must bear the responsibility for setting the moral tone through disciplined and rightful leadership, sits back and does nothing. Such a behavior poorly disguises the financial incentives that have opened India up to USD $500 billion in American investment during the coming five years. The U.S. was once considered a shining example to the rest of the world of what democracy can mean, and yet, now, too, we see a complete breakdown of this grand vision at its very source that awakened generations of people to hope for real change. What is the significance of an alliance between the great democracy (US) and so-called largest democracy in the world (India) when universal principles, democratic values and human rights are completely ignored? Kamala Harris spoke her mind about Kashmir as a Vice Presidential candidate on October 8. 2019, “We have to remind the Kashmiris that they are not alone in the world. We are keeping a track on the situation. There is a need to intervene if the situation demands.” Since then, she has wavered. She has quit talking about Kashmir, believing perhaps that U.S. business ties with India have greater priority than ruffling any feathers. But Biden Administration still has an opportunity to walk and talk straight to India and Pakistan to help set a stage for the peaceful settlement of the Kashmir dispute. The priorities of world peace are much greater than selling a few more missiles to a country which threatens the international peace and security. We still believe that the Kashmir dispute is soluble if an international body intervenes as suggested by Kamala Harris. India and Pakistan must resolve the dispute, while associating the genuine Kashmiri leadership with the negotiations which was originally promised by them at the United Nations. However, much India would like Kashmir dispute to be off the table in any discussions, it is on the table and will always be brought to bear upon the consciousness and conscience of the Indian leadership until the matter is settled. India and Pakistan should realize that they can impose any solution upon the people of Kashmir; the Kashmiri mainstream leadership can sign any accord with India; but the question arises, are they going to be able to sell these agreements to the people as was attempted by Sheikh Abdullah in 1050’s? The answer is big “NO.” It is time, India, to show her humanity and put some strength in those democratic principles which she alleges to idealize. It is time, world powers, to back up their words with deeds instead of just lip service and to truly lead in championing those values that have brought progress to the world community instead of selling them all for corporate profits. Perhaps it’s time the major powers take this seriously. The answer is plain as day for anyone. The clock is ticking. Every day that passes without resolution of Kashmir dispute is one day closer to a cataclysm that will reach far beyond the borders of all countries involved. It’s time to end the violence. It’s time to end the charade. It’s time for Kashmiris to sort out their own affairs and determine their own future. Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai is the Secretary General, Washington-based World Kashmir Awareness forum. He can be reached at: 1-202-607-6435. Or. gnfai2003@yahoo.com
Kashmir
Update 150 Week , Oct ,11, 2021 to ,
Oct 17 2021 ,2021
LaC trouble; Oct 10 2021; Indian and Chinese troops were engaged in a brief face-off near Yangtse in the Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh, last week. Indian media quoting the people familiar with the development reported on Friday that the face-off was resolved following talks between local commanders of the two sides as per established protocols The incident came to light days before another round of high-level military talks between the two sides on the eastern Ladakh row. The Corps Commander level talks are likely to take place within the next three-four days https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2021/10/08/indian-chinese-troops-engaged-in-brief-face-off-in-arunac
Kashmir
Update 149: Week , Oct ,4, 2021 to Oct,10 ,2021
1
Kashmir
Dispute: Challenge to world Conscience: Dr.
Ghulam Nabi Fai: October 1, 2021: The most pertinent
evidence of that conflict is that India has in recent years had as many as
900,000 military and paramilitary forces stationed on a piece of land no larger
than the state of Tennessee (USA). By comparison, during the height of the Iraq
war, in October 2007, U.S. Troop strength was only a little over 166,000. Iraq
compares in size to the state of California. Obviously, the number of troops
stationed in Kashmir is highly significant. There is no war taking place there.
There is no imminent external threat of a foreign invader, with troops amassed
at its border. Why so many troops?
India frequently
justifies its military presence, first, by asserting that Kashmir is an
‘integral part’ of India, and, second, that Pakistan, just across the border,
is a threat. Both are nuclear-armed, and cross-border skirmishes occur
periodically among a handful of troops stationed along the UN-established
Cease-fire Line. However, to whatever extent such a threat exists, such an
enormous volume of troops is well beyond whatever need there might be to resist
such incursions. The best way to make sure that there is no such infiltration
is to let the United Nations be allowed to monitor the Cease-fire Line.
“The barrier
itself consists of double-row of fencing and concertina wire eight to twelve
feet (2.4–3.7 m) in height and is electrified and connected to a network of
motion sensors, thermal imaging devices, lighting systems and alarms. They act
as “fast alert signals” to the Indian troops who can be alerted and ambush the
infiltrators trying to sneak in. The small stretch of land between the rows of
fencing is mined with thousands of landmines.” Wikipedia The truth is that the
people of Kashmir themselves have always been hostile to the presence of
India’s troops on their soil and have resisted to such oppression, and over
hundred thousand Kashmiris have died within the past 30 years alone. Long
standing agreements at the United Nations in place have in fact afforded the
Kashmiri people the right to determine their own destiny. What we have, then, is a
case of a large country bullying a small nation into submission in violation of
not only their right to sovereignty but international agreements and two dozen
UN resolutions giving them the right to determine their own political fate. The
purpose of so many troops stationed in this small country is for no other purpose
but blatant oppression. Their presences make Kashmir the largest army
concentration anywhere in the world. Dr. Syed Nazir Gilani
has written on the subject, “The United Nations has defined the people of Jammu
& Kashmir as ‘People of legend, song and story, associated with snow-capped
mountains, beautiful valleys and life-giving waters’. Today we associate them
with living in a highly militarised zone and locked down inside their homes. We
associate them with a habitat where children are recruited to carry out
espionage for the Indian Security Forces (a war crime),” Dr. Gilani added.
You would think
that the international community would be up in arms over such abuse,
particularly in view of the fact that the Kashmiris have shown an iron
determination to resist tens of thousands of killings, and thousands of rapes,
disappearances and torture inflicted upon the population at the hands of these
foreign occupiers.
In a more
idealistic mood President Joe Biden said on February 4, 2021, “We must start
with diplomacy rooted in America’s most cherished democratic values: defending
freedom, championing opportunity, upholding universal rights, respecting the
rule of law, and treating every person with dignity.” And again on September
13, 2021, "I've been clear that human rights will be the center of our
foreign policy." Earlier President Barack Obama who choose Joe Biden as
his running mate addressed the problem of Kashmir, in one of his rare moments
of candor. “We should probably try to facilitate a better understanding
between Pakistan and India, “he announced,” and try to resolve the Kashmir
crisis.” It wasn’t long after Obama’s newly anointed status,
however, that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was in New Delhi shuffling
cards, engaging in toasts, and making deals on Boeing aircraft. Little more, if
anything, was ever said about Kashmir. Trade between India and the U.S. has
since become a $100 billion dollar business, with growth estimated in the near
term as high as $500 billion. Given such platitudes, while American foreign policy
is supposed to be grounded on moral values, democratic ideals and universal
principles, it would appear that wherever the crowd of commercial interests get
VIP status, such ideals and principles are easily set aside, relegated to the back
of the room, where it’s standing room only. Money talks: ideals walk. Situation
ethics is the name of the play. It is quite conspicuous that the world powers feel
awkward and unequipped to intervene in any international conflict because the
country concerned is too powerful and does not listen to morals and ethics when
everyone has his wallet on the table. In addition, India’s refusal to accept
international mediation or facilitation seems to shut the door on any kind of
international dialogue regarding Kashmir. The Kashmiris are shut in, and the
outside world out. Doesn’t the world community recognize such double
standards? How is international credibility and trust engendered by such
behavior? For whom does this bell toll but for last vestiges of all that we
hold dear, while the corrupt and cynical become more emboldened, and does it
not sow the seeds of hatred and deeper more lasting conflict among those who
suffer because of it? “Bigger nations should not be able to bully smaller
ones… people should be able to choose their own future,” President Barack Obama
said, when he spoke to the United Nations General Assembly on September 24,
2014. “Too often,” he added, “we have failed to enforce international norms
when it’s inconvenient to do so.” It would have been nice if President Obama had
mentioned Kashmir in the same breath. However, speeches by a U.S. President on
foreign policy usually engage issues that are relative to immediate concerns
and objectives, and he seemed much more interested in pointing fingers at
Russia for supporting the separatist fight in Ukraine and the need to impose
sanctions. So, while the U.S.
imposes sanctions on Russia for interfering in stability and peace in a country
more than 5,000 miles away which is of no strategic pertinence to American
safety or freedoms, it engages in trade with India and says nothing about
India’s failure to enforce “international norms” where it is apparently
inconvenient to do so. India’s transgressions in Kashmir are clearly far more
relevant to the issue of international norms, given their history, than
anything now occurring in Eastern Europe. If,
in Indian Prime Minister Modi’s address to the same United Nations forum on
September 26, 2020, he said that “Within the halls of the United Nations, one
has often heard the words ‘the world is one family’. We treat the whole world
as one family. It is part of our culture, character and thinking.” A grand
statement, to be sure, but it has little credibility in the face of persistent
policies by India against the defenseless people of Kashmir. Nevertheless, we
accept Prime Minister Modi’s challenge, “The ideals on which the United Nations
was founded, and India's own fundamental philosophy has a lot of commonalities.
They are not different from each other.” Then Prime Minister Modi should agree
that the point of departure for resolving Kashmir dispute has to be the same –
to go back, yes, back to the United Nations which has prescribed the resolution
of the Kashmir problem through a democratic method of a free and fair
plebiscite. And how do the world powers, the U.S. among them, justify the inclusion
of India as a permanent member of the UN Security Council and currently a
non-permanent member of the UN Security Council when all the world sees that it
is in violation of the UN’s own charter? This makes the mockery of the
international obligations. Mr. Antonio Guterres, the Secretary General of the
United Nations needs to be applauded for his statement that he made regarding
Kashmir on February 18, 2020, "Diplomacy and dialogue remain the only
tools that guarantee peace and stability with solutions in accordance with the
Charter of United Nations and resolutions of the Security Council.” "I
offered my good offices from the beginning. I am ready to help if both countries
agree for mediation,” he added. Encouragement to India and Pakistan through numerous
resolutions have been taking place for the last 73 years. Perhaps it is time
that the authority entrusted to the United Nations be taken a little more
seriously. Isn’t it also time that Mr. Antonio Guterres, the Secretary General of
the United Nations brings the situation in Kashmir to the attention of the
Security Council under the provision of the Article 99 of the United Nations
Charter? It is here in the region of South Asia that the two nuclear powers
have been eyeball to eyeball for the last two years? The Article 99 authorizes
the Secretary General to ‘bring to the attention of the Security Council any
matter which in his opinion may threaten the maintenance of international peace
and security’. Lastly, the world powers and the saner elements in
both India and Pakistan need to realize that the participation of Kashmiri
leadership in the dialogue process with India and Pakistan is the sine qua non
that will help to achieve the lasting peace and tranquility in the region of
South Asia. Dr. Fai is the Secretary
General, Washington-based World Kashmir Awareness Forum. He can be reached at:
1-202-607-6435 gnfai2003@yahoo.com
2
UK Protest; Oct 6 2021; Hundreds of protesters marched through Manchester
to support the political struggle of both Kashmiris and Palestinians on the occasion
of UK’s Conservative Party's annual conference. The march began at
Whitworth Park and made its way through the city before finishing at the
Manchester Central convention centre. The protesters were chanting slogans
“stop arming India”, “stop arming Israel”, “end Indian occupation of
Kashmir". The demonstrators also distributed
thousands of pamphlets titled “Kashmir under Indian siege knocking at world
conscience”.
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2323269/hundreds-march-in-uk-to-protest-against-indian-israeli-atrocities
3
United Nations Urged
to Help Resolve Kashmir Dispute Washington, DC: October 4, 2021:“The
current resistance in Indian illegally occupied Jammu Kashmir (IIOJK) is rooted
in the struggle of the people for the exercise of the right of self-determination
- the promise which was given to them by the United Nations Security Council in
1948. While the people of IIOJK hold peaceful protests on the streets of
Srinagar, Baramulla, Islamabad, Kupwara and elsewhere, Indian army has fired
upon these peaceful protestors, killing more than 100,000 innocent civilians,
including women and children since 1990,” this was stated by Shehryar Khan
Afridi, Chairman, Parliamentary Special Committee on Kashmir at a reception
given by Washington based World Kashmir Awareness Forum (WKAF) at Sapphire
Tyson. The hall was packed to its capacity .The Chairman articulated that
Pakistan has consistently upheld the right of the people of Jammu and Kashmir
to self-determination in accordance with the resolutions of the United Nations
Security Council. These resolutions provide the pathway for the holding of a
free and impartial plebiscite for the determination of the future of the State
by the people of Jammu and Kashmir. History tells us that attempts to forcibly
suppress the legitimate demands of the people of Jammu and Kashmir have
resulted in failure. Similarly, threats of use of force have not affected
Pakistan’s resolve to maintain its position of principle. One thing is crystal
clear that without an active interest of big powers to come to the rescue of
Kashmiris, India will not agree to any meaningful talks on Kashmir. He urged
the world powers to break their silence and help the people of Jammu &
Kashmir as the situation there was brewing with anger, and it may erupt anytime
due to uninterrupted and prolonged atrocities being committed on the Kashmiris
by fascist Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Chairman added that his purpose
of coming to America is to increase awareness in the corridors of power in
Washington about the Kashmir issue. His sole purpose was to mobilize world
opinion in support of the cause of right of self-determination to the people of
Jammu and Kashmir as well as the principle stand of Pakistan;. The Chairman
praised Prime Minister Imran Khan who pleaded the case of the people of Jammu
& Kashmir at all international fora including the United Nations that
Pakistan supports initiatives and efforts aimed to achieve a just and durable
settlement of the Kashmir problem, in accordance with the aspirations of the
people of Jammu and Kashmir. Afridi Sahib expressed his resolve to interact
with the elected representatives, civil society, members of think-tanks,
academia to pursue forward the vision of his prime minister, Imran Khan Sahib. He
expressed his unconditional moral, political, and diplomatic support to the
people of Kashmir for a just and peaceful solution to the long-standing
dispute. He said that we stand shoulder to shoulder with our Kashmiri brethren. Ambassador
Dr. Asad Majeed Khan, Pakistan’s Ambassador toe United States presented
historical perspective of the dispute and underscored the efforts made by the
current Government towards resolution of the Kashmir dispute. Speaking on the
occasion, Ambassador Khan said that Prime Minster Imran Khan has termed himself
as the Ambassador for Kashmiri people and has been effectively pleading the
case for Kashmir at all international forums including the United Nations. He briefed
the audience on the recent visit by the Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi
to attend the 76th Session of the UNGA in New York. During the visit, Foreign
Minister along with President Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Chairman Pakistan
Parliamentary Special Committee on Kashmir sensitized the international
community on the plight of Kashmiri people and urged them to play their role in
resolution of the Kashmir dispute as envisaged in the UNSC Resolutions and in
accordance with wishes of the Kashmiri people. Ambassador Khan highlighted that
India’s illegal and unilateral actions of 5th August 2019 were in contravention
to its international obligations, commitments to the United Nations and
bilateral agreements and understandings between the two countries. He also
drew attention of the audience to the grave peace and security threat posed by
these Indian actions in South Asia and called for the international community
to urge India to end its human rights violations in IIOJK and rescind illegal
and unilateral actions taken on August 5, 2019
Ambassador Khan also lauded the role played by the Pakistani and
Kashmiri American community in highlighting the gross human rights violations
in IIOJK and echoing the voice of innocent Kashmiris in the corridors of U.S.
Congress. He stressed upon them to continue sensitizing the respective Congressman
and members of civil society on this grave issue. Ambassador Khan reiterated
Government of Pakistan’s continued moral, political and diplomatic support to
the people of Jammu and Kashmir in their struggle for right to
self-determination. Dr. Ghulam N. Mir, President, WKAF said Kashmiris
cherish the moral and political support of the brotherly people of Azad Kashmir
and Pakistan in fighting off the oppression unleashed by the Indian regime. We
are grateful to the indomitable prime minister Imran khan for forcefully
advocating the cause of Indian Occupied Kashmir at all international platforms,
including his powerful speeches at the 76th United Nations General Assembly
session on September 24, 2021. He continues to support our
principled position that Kashmir conflict must be resolved according to the
UNSC resolutions passed as far back as 1948. Kashmir remains one of the most
important unfinished business items United Nations’ agenda. Dr.
Mir voiced his optimism that the political resistance in Kashmir is alive,
despite the brutal tactics of Indian occupation forces. He emphasized that
Kashmiri diaspora need to pursue the goal of right of self-determination as a
united front. United we stand but divided we fall, Mir added. Dr. Mir appealed
to the world powers in general and the United Nations in particular to bring
immense moral and political influence to bear on initiating a peace process
which will lead to a speedy, just and honorable settlement of the dispute and
restore to the people of Kashmir their inalienable right to self-determination.
Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Secretary General, WKAF said that the United Nations bears
a special responsibility to bring peace to Kashmir because it was in its
chamber more than 74 years ago that India made a pledge to the world body in
general and to the people of Kashmir in particular that they would be enabled
to decide their future under an impartially supervised plebiscite on the basis
of their unfettered right of self-determination. That promise has not been kept
and in fact, has been repudiated in cynical violation of the principles
enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. “No consideration of the
Kashmir dispute which is designed to arrive at a peaceful settlement will yield
any result unless the Kashmiri viewpoint is fully taken into account,” Fai
emphasized. Dr. Fai said that Kashmir conflict has many dimensions: Political,
diplomatic, humanitarian, etc. But the goal of all these dimensions is just
one: to have a greater understanding of world powers, including the United
States to help us to exercise the right to self-determination as was guaranteed
under UN Security Council resolutions. ‘Unfortunately, both Trump and Biden
administrations favored India over the people of Kashmir. They made no protests
at the United Nations Security Council over India's violations of human rights
or its plebiscite resolutions. They gave India a veto over any third-party
intervention knowing it would be employed to the disadvantage of Kashmiris,”
Fai said. Dr. Imtiaz underscored that
the events of August 5, 2019, are consistent with the ruthless occupation and
suppression the people of Kashmir have suffered under the unpopular Indian
rule. All the features of severe political repression are evident -- the
detention without trial, torture, execution, the torturing of neighborhoods,
imprisonment of leadership and gang rapes by the Indian army -- are common
daily occurrences. It is in the interest of world peace that India and Pakistan
need to resolve the Kashmir dispute to the satisfaction of the people of Jammu
and Kashmir. Sardar Zarif Khan, Chief Coordinator of the event said despite the
persistent and pernicious tyranny, the people of Kashmir never have nor ever
will give up their right to be free. It is based on the internationally recognized,
and principled stand. The Kashmiri
diaspora and its allies worldwide stand in solidarity with the people of Jammu
& Kashmir. We stand in support of their unyielding struggle to resist
occupation and achieve their right to self-determination. Sardar
Shoaib Khan, Coordinator of the event said that it was our duty to support the
people of Kashmir who are struggling for their right to self-determination. Our
objective is to draw the attention of the world powers to the situation in
Kashmir and to exert pressure on the government of India and to resolve dispute
over Kashmir and help stop human right violations in Indian occupied Kashmir. In the end, the participants
called upon the United Nations in general and Biden Administration in particular
to play an active part in ensuring that the promises made to the people of
Kashmir at the U.N. more than seven decades ago, be fulfilled and an
opportunity given to the people to participate in a free and fair referendum to
determine their future in line with their inalienable right to
self-determination. Dr. Fai can be reached at: 1-202-607-6435 / gnfai2003@yahoo.com
4
Two martyred;
Oct 10 2021; In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian police
martyred a Kashmiri youth in Srinagar, this evening. The police shot dead the
youth in Natipora area of Srinagar. Indian troops martyred an unarmed civilian,
Pervez Ahmad, by opening fire on his vehicle at Monghal Bridge in Islamabad
district, last evening. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2021/10/08/one-more-youth-martyred-in-iiojk-toll-rises-to-two.html
5
FAFT; Oct 10 2021; India
under fascist Narendra Modi has become a security threat to the world but is
being overlooked by Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and other global bodies.
A report released by Kashmir Media Service, today, said India is financing and
sponsoring terrorism in Pakistan and other regional countries. “India is a fit
case to be blacklisted by FATF for its money laundering, terrorism sponsoring.
44 Indian banks have been flagged for carrying out suspicious transactions
worth more than $1 billion,” it said. The
report said that the FATF must take action against India and Modi for being
involved in terror financing and money laundering and the upcoming plenary
meeting of the financial body is the right time to blacklist New Delhi for its
suspicious transactions.
https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2021/10/09/fatf-must-blacklist-india-for-terror-financing-money-laundering.html
6
LaC Talks fail; OCt 11 2021; China
has accused India of making unreasonable demands in their latest round of talks
as the two neighbours continued to blame each other for the latest flashpoints
on their disputed
border “The Chinese side has made great efforts and
fully demonstrated its sincerity to promote the de-escalation of the border
situation,” Long said in a statement.“But the Indian side still insists on
unreasonable and unrealistic demands, making the negotiations more difficult.“China’s
determination to safeguard national sovereignty is unwavering and we hope that
the Indian side will not misjudge the situation.” He urged India to prove its
sincerity about working with China to achieve peace and stability on the border. Liu Zongyi, an associate
research fellow with Shanghai Institutes for International Studies, said
India’s demands included disengagement at Hot Springs, the Depsang Plains and
Demchok, requiring Chinese troops to withdraw behind India’s version of the border
line. The two countries have differing interpretations of where parts of the
LAC are drawn. “These are the places that used to be controlled by China,” Liu
said. “Now India is asking Chinese troops to move backwards to the position it
designated, which is not acceptable.” Hopes of achieving full disengagement
before the harsh Himalayan winter were fading after the fruitless talks, and
the military stand-off was likely to continue, Liu said.“This is a sovereignty
issue that there’s no room for China to compromise on,” he said. In Beijing,
state-owned China Daily on Saturday published a report rejecting Indian
media reports that about 200
Chinese border troops had been detained by Indian counterparts for crossing the LAC. It said a routine
patrol had been “unreasonably obstructed” late last month, the Chinese soldiers
took countermeasures after being obstructed and returned after completing their
mission. China has carried out several high-profile military drills in
Tibet and Xinjiang, which observers viewed as warnings to India.
These included a live-fire drill involving battle tanks near the Karakoram
mountain range at 5,000 metres (16,400 feet) above sea level “to refine combat
ability in high-altitude conditions”, state broadcaster CCTV said on Monday The two sides agreed after the 10th round of
negotiations in February to disengage their troops around Pangong Tso. They
also disengaged in Galwan Valley in July and Gogra in August, although points
of friction remain. “Unfortunately, the tenor of statements, particularly from
the Chinese side, indicates that there is a hardening of position,” the Hindustan
Times newspaper quoted former Northern Army commander Lieutenant General DS
Hooda as saying. “This will obviously lead to an extended period of tension along
the LAC.” Tensions have been high since deadly
clashes in June last year in the
strategically important Galwan Valley in Ladakh, the deadliest encounter
between Indian and Chinese forces in more than four decades. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3151884/india-made-unreasonable-demands-china-says-after-failed-border?utm_medium=email&utm_source=cm&utm_campaign=enlz-china&utm_content=20211011&tpcc=enlz-china&UUID=ba1afc63-71e0-44dc-82af-b57ad5a38b3a&next_article_id=3151840&tc=5&CMCampaignID=72d48eac077ab98465cafb6b93da2c72
7
Indian Army losses;
Oct 12 2021; Suspected rebels have shot dead five soldiers in
Indian-administered Kashmir in the deadliest incident since February, an Indian
army spokesman says. One JCO (junior commissioned officer) and four soldiers
were killed during a search operation .
“Kashmiris are caught in unending violence from
attacks by militants and abuses by government authorities and security forces,”
HRW’s South Asia director Meenakshi Ganguly said in a statement.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/10/11/kashmir-suspected-rebels-five-indian-soldiers
8
Two martyred; Oct 12
2021; In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in
their fresh acts of state terrorism, martyred two Kashmiri youth in the
territory. Indian troops during violent cordon and search operations killed a
youth Imtiyaz Ahmad in Shahgund area of Bandipore district and another in
Khagund area of Islamabad district.The troops also arrested five youth during
the operations in Bandipore district and Islamabad districts. An Indian police
man also received bullet injuries during the operation in Khagund area. He was
shifted to nearby hospital for treatment.
https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2021/10/11/indain-troops-martyr-two-kashmiri-youth-in-iiojk.html
9
Five martyred; Oct 13 2021; In
Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in their fresh acts
of state terrorism, martyred five more Kashmiri youth in Shopian district,
today. Indian troops during a violent cordon and search operation (CASO) killed
three youth in Tulran area of Shopian district. Two more youth were killed by
the troops during an operation in Feeripora area of the same district.
https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2021/10/12/indian-troops-martyr-three-youth-in-shopian.html
10 Arunachal Pradesh and china; Oct 14 2021; the Chinese Foreign Ministry issued a
statement in response to a Chinese state media question on the visit, asking
India to “stop taking actions that would complicate and expand the boundary
issue”. Naidu, on a tour of the Northeast, was in Arunachal over the weekend.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said
The Chinese government never recognizes the so-called Arunachal Pradesh
established unilaterally and illegally by the Indian side, and is firmly
opposed to the Indian leaders’ visits to the area concerned. We urge the Indian
side to earnestly respect China’s major concerns, stop taking any action that
would complicate and expand the boundary issue, and refrain from undermining
mutual trust and bilateral relations. It should instead take real concrete
actions to maintain peace and stability in the China-India border areas and
help bring the bilateral relations back on to the track of sound and steady
development.” China claims up to 90,000 sq km in Arunachal in the eastern
sector,
11
Youth martyred;
October 13 : In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in
their fresh act of state terrorism martyred one more Kashmiri youth in Pulwama
district, today. The troops martyred the
youth during a cordon and search operation in Tral area of the district https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2021/10/13/indian-troops-martyr-one-kashmiri-youth-in-pulwama.html
12
Indian soldiers
killed; October 14; In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, an Indian
officer and soldiers were killed in an attack in Bhata Dhurian village near
Bhimber Gali area of Poonch district, today A Junior Commissioned Officer and
the soldier were killed in the firing while one soldier sustained injuries in
the area. Two days ago, five Indian soldiers including a JCO were killed in the
same area.
.
https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2021/10/14/indian-army-officer-killed-two-soldiers-injured-in-attack-in-poonch-traffic.html
13 Journalists held: Oct., 16, 2021: Authorities
in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir must immediately release journalists
Salman Shah and Suhail Dar, cease detaining and questioning journalists in
relation to their work, and commit to allowing the media to operate freely and
independently, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Since October 8, authorities in Jammu and Kashmir have
detained four journalists, subsequently releasing two of them, and questioned
one other The
five journalists are: Salman Shah, editor of Kashmir ;Suhail Dar, a
freelance journalist; Mukhtar Zahoor, a freelance journalist contributing to
the BBC; Majid Hyderi, a freelance journalist and commentator; Sajad Gul, a
freelance journalist contributing to privately owned news websites The
Kashmir Walla and Mountain Ink .“India needs to move quickly to
improve its shameful record of harassing and detaining critical
journalists in Jammu and Kashmir in a complete abandonment of India’s
once-proud tradition of press freedom,” said Steven Butler, CPJ’s Asia program
coordinator, in Washington, D.C. “Police must immediately release Salman Shah
and Suhail Dar and allow journalists to do their jobs without fear https://cpj.org/2021/10/jammu-and-kashmir-authorities-detain-question-5-journalists-hold-salman-shah-suhail-dar/
14 Two martyred; Oct., 16, 2021: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in their fresh acts of state terrorism martyred two Kashmiri youth in Srinagar and Pulwama, today. The troops martyred one youth during a cordon and search operation in Bemina area of Srinagar. The troops martyred another youth during a similar operation in Wahibug area of Pulwama district. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2021/10/15/indian-troops-martyr-two-youth-in-iiojk-2.html
Kashmir
Update 149: Week , Oct ,4, 2021 to Oct,10 ,2021
1
Kashmir
Dispute: Challenge to world Conscience: Dr.
Ghulam Nabi Fai: October 1, 2021: The most pertinent
evidence of that conflict is that India has in recent years had as many as
900,000 military and paramilitary forces stationed on a piece of land no larger
than the state of Tennessee (USA). By comparison, during the height of the Iraq
war, in October 2007, U.S. Troop strength was only a little over 166,000. Iraq
compares in size to the state of California. Obviously, the number of troops
stationed in Kashmir is highly significant. There is no war taking place there.
There is no imminent external threat of a foreign invader, with troops amassed
at its border. Why so many troops?
India frequently
justifies its military presence, first, by asserting that Kashmir is an
‘integral part’ of India, and, second, that Pakistan, just across the border,
is a threat. Both are nuclear-armed, and cross-border skirmishes occur
periodically among a handful of troops stationed along the UN-established
Cease-fire Line. However, to whatever extent such a threat exists, such an
enormous volume of troops is well beyond whatever need there might be to resist
such incursions. The best way to make sure that there is no such infiltration
is to let the United Nations be allowed to monitor the Cease-fire Line.
“The barrier
itself consists of double-row of fencing and concertina wire eight to twelve
feet (2.4–3.7 m) in height and is electrified and connected to a network of
motion sensors, thermal imaging devices, lighting systems and alarms. They act
as “fast alert signals” to the Indian troops who can be alerted and ambush the
infiltrators trying to sneak in. The small stretch of land between the rows of
fencing is mined with thousands of landmines.” Wikipedia The truth is that the
people of Kashmir themselves have always been hostile to the presence of
India’s troops on their soil and have resisted to such oppression, and over
hundred thousand Kashmiris have died within the past 30 years alone. Long
standing agreements at the United Nations in place have in fact afforded the
Kashmiri people the right to determine their own destiny. What we have, then, is a
case of a large country bullying a small nation into submission in violation of
not only their right to sovereignty but international agreements and two dozen
UN resolutions giving them the right to determine their own political fate. The
purpose of so many troops stationed in this small country is for no other purpose
but blatant oppression. Their presences make Kashmir the largest army
concentration anywhere in the world. Dr. Syed Nazir Gilani
has written on the subject, “The United Nations has defined the people of Jammu
& Kashmir as ‘People of legend, song and story, associated with snow-capped
mountains, beautiful valleys and life-giving waters’. Today we associate them
with living in a highly militarised zone and locked down inside their homes. We
associate them with a habitat where children are recruited to carry out
espionage for the Indian Security Forces (a war crime),” Dr. Gilani added.
You would think
that the international community would be up in arms over such abuse,
particularly in view of the fact that the Kashmiris have shown an iron
determination to resist tens of thousands of killings, and thousands of rapes,
disappearances and torture inflicted upon the population at the hands of these
foreign occupiers.
In a more
idealistic mood President Joe Biden said on February 4, 2021, “We must start
with diplomacy rooted in America’s most cherished democratic values: defending
freedom, championing opportunity, upholding universal rights, respecting the
rule of law, and treating every person with dignity.” And again on September
13, 2021, "I've been clear that human rights will be the center of our
foreign policy." Earlier President Barack Obama who choose Joe Biden as
his running mate addressed the problem of Kashmir, in one of his rare moments
of candor. “We should probably try to facilitate a better understanding
between Pakistan and India, “he announced,” and try to resolve the Kashmir
crisis.” It wasn’t long after Obama’s newly anointed status,
however, that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was in New Delhi shuffling
cards, engaging in toasts, and making deals on Boeing aircraft. Little more, if
anything, was ever said about Kashmir. Trade between India and the U.S. has
since become a $100 billion dollar business, with growth estimated in the near
term as high as $500 billion. Given such platitudes, while American foreign policy
is supposed to be grounded on moral values, democratic ideals and universal
principles, it would appear that wherever the crowd of commercial interests get
VIP status, such ideals and principles are easily set aside, relegated to the back
of the room, where it’s standing room only. Money talks: ideals walk. Situation
ethics is the name of the play. It is quite conspicuous that the world powers feel
awkward and unequipped to intervene in any international conflict because the
country concerned is too powerful and does not listen to morals and ethics when
everyone has his wallet on the table. In addition, India’s refusal to accept
international mediation or facilitation seems to shut the door on any kind of
international dialogue regarding Kashmir. The Kashmiris are shut in, and the
outside world out. Doesn’t the world community recognize such double
standards? How is international credibility and trust engendered by such
behavior? For whom does this bell toll but for last vestiges of all that we
hold dear, while the corrupt and cynical become more emboldened, and does it
not sow the seeds of hatred and deeper more lasting conflict among those who
suffer because of it? “Bigger nations should not be able to bully smaller
ones… people should be able to choose their own future,” President Barack Obama
said, when he spoke to the United Nations General Assembly on September 24,
2014. “Too often,” he added, “we have failed to enforce international norms
when it’s inconvenient to do so.” It would have been nice if President Obama had
mentioned Kashmir in the same breath. However, speeches by a U.S. President on
foreign policy usually engage issues that are relative to immediate concerns
and objectives, and he seemed much more interested in pointing fingers at
Russia for supporting the separatist fight in Ukraine and the need to impose
sanctions. So, while the U.S.
imposes sanctions on Russia for interfering in stability and peace in a country
more than 5,000 miles away which is of no strategic pertinence to American
safety or freedoms, it engages in trade with India and says nothing about
India’s failure to enforce “international norms” where it is apparently
inconvenient to do so. India’s transgressions in Kashmir are clearly far more
relevant to the issue of international norms, given their history, than
anything now occurring in Eastern Europe. If,
in Indian Prime Minister Modi’s address to the same United Nations forum on
September 26, 2020, he said that “Within the halls of the United Nations, one
has often heard the words ‘the world is one family’. We treat the whole world
as one family. It is part of our culture, character and thinking.” A grand
statement, to be sure, but it has little credibility in the face of persistent
policies by India against the defenseless people of Kashmir. Nevertheless, we
accept Prime Minister Modi’s challenge, “The ideals on which the United Nations
was founded, and India's own fundamental philosophy has a lot of commonalities.
They are not different from each other.” Then Prime Minister Modi should agree
that the point of departure for resolving Kashmir dispute has to be the same –
to go back, yes, back to the United Nations which has prescribed the resolution
of the Kashmir problem through a democratic method of a free and fair
plebiscite. And how do the world powers, the U.S. among them, justify the inclusion
of India as a permanent member of the UN Security Council and currently a
non-permanent member of the UN Security Council when all the world sees that it
is in violation of the UN’s own charter? This makes the mockery of the
international obligations. Mr. Antonio Guterres, the Secretary General of the
United Nations needs to be applauded for his statement that he made regarding
Kashmir on February 18, 2020, "Diplomacy and dialogue remain the only
tools that guarantee peace and stability with solutions in accordance with the
Charter of United Nations and resolutions of the Security Council.” "I
offered my good offices from the beginning. I am ready to help if both countries
agree for mediation,” he added. Encouragement to India and Pakistan through numerous
resolutions have been taking place for the last 73 years. Perhaps it is time
that the authority entrusted to the United Nations be taken a little more
seriously. Isn’t it also time that Mr. Antonio Guterres, the Secretary General of
the United Nations brings the situation in Kashmir to the attention of the
Security Council under the provision of the Article 99 of the United Nations
Charter? It is here in the region of South Asia that the two nuclear powers
have been eyeball to eyeball for the last two years? The Article 99 authorizes
the Secretary General to ‘bring to the attention of the Security Council any
matter which in his opinion may threaten the maintenance of international peace
and security’. Lastly, the world powers and the saner elements in
both India and Pakistan need to realize that the participation of Kashmiri
leadership in the dialogue process with India and Pakistan is the sine qua non
that will help to achieve the lasting peace and tranquility in the region of
South Asia. Dr. Fai is the Secretary
General, Washington-based World Kashmir Awareness Forum. He can be reached at:
1-202-607-6435 gnfai2003@yahoo.com
2
UK Protest; Oct 6 2021; Hundreds of protesters marched through Manchester
to support the political struggle of both Kashmiris and Palestinians on the occasion
of UK’s Conservative Party's annual conference. The march began at
Whitworth Park and made its way through the city before finishing at the
Manchester Central convention centre. The protesters were chanting slogans
“stop arming India”, “stop arming Israel”, “end Indian occupation of
Kashmir". The demonstrators also distributed
thousands of pamphlets titled “Kashmir under Indian siege knocking at world
conscience”.
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2323269/hundreds-march-in-uk-to-protest-against-indian-israeli-atrocities
3
United Nations Urged
to Help Resolve Kashmir Dispute Washington, DC: October 4, 2021:“The
current resistance in Indian illegally occupied Jammu Kashmir (IIOJK) is rooted
in the struggle of the people for the exercise of the right of self-determination
- the promise which was given to them by the United Nations Security Council in
1948. While the people of IIOJK hold peaceful protests on the streets of
Srinagar, Baramulla, Islamabad, Kupwara and elsewhere, Indian army has fired
upon these peaceful protestors, killing more than 100,000 innocent civilians,
including women and children since 1990,” this was stated by Shehryar Khan
Afridi, Chairman, Parliamentary Special Committee on Kashmir at a reception
given by Washington based World Kashmir Awareness Forum (WKAF) at Sapphire
Tyson. The hall was packed to its capacity .The Chairman articulated that
Pakistan has consistently upheld the right of the people of Jammu and Kashmir
to self-determination in accordance with the resolutions of the United Nations
Security Council. These resolutions provide the pathway for the holding of a
free and impartial plebiscite for the determination of the future of the State
by the people of Jammu and Kashmir. History tells us that attempts to forcibly
suppress the legitimate demands of the people of Jammu and Kashmir have
resulted in failure. Similarly, threats of use of force have not affected
Pakistan’s resolve to maintain its position of principle. One thing is crystal
clear that without an active interest of big powers to come to the rescue of
Kashmiris, India will not agree to any meaningful talks on Kashmir. He urged
the world powers to break their silence and help the people of Jammu &
Kashmir as the situation there was brewing with anger, and it may erupt anytime
due to uninterrupted and prolonged atrocities being committed on the Kashmiris
by fascist Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Chairman added that his purpose
of coming to America is to increase awareness in the corridors of power in
Washington about the Kashmir issue. His sole purpose was to mobilize world
opinion in support of the cause of right of self-determination to the people of
Jammu and Kashmir as well as the principle stand of Pakistan;. The Chairman
praised Prime Minister Imran Khan who pleaded the case of the people of Jammu
& Kashmir at all international fora including the United Nations that
Pakistan supports initiatives and efforts aimed to achieve a just and durable
settlement of the Kashmir problem, in accordance with the aspirations of the
people of Jammu and Kashmir. Afridi Sahib expressed his resolve to interact
with the elected representatives, civil society, members of think-tanks,
academia to pursue forward the vision of his prime minister, Imran Khan Sahib. He
expressed his unconditional moral, political, and diplomatic support to the
people of Kashmir for a just and peaceful solution to the long-standing
dispute. He said that we stand shoulder to shoulder with our Kashmiri brethren. Ambassador
Dr. Asad Majeed Khan, Pakistan’s Ambassador toe United States presented
historical perspective of the dispute and underscored the efforts made by the
current Government towards resolution of the Kashmir dispute. Speaking on the
occasion, Ambassador Khan said that Prime Minster Imran Khan has termed himself
as the Ambassador for Kashmiri people and has been effectively pleading the
case for Kashmir at all international forums including the United Nations. He briefed
the audience on the recent visit by the Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi
to attend the 76th Session of the UNGA in New York. During the visit, Foreign
Minister along with President Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Chairman Pakistan
Parliamentary Special Committee on Kashmir sensitized the international
community on the plight of Kashmiri people and urged them to play their role in
resolution of the Kashmir dispute as envisaged in the UNSC Resolutions and in
accordance with wishes of the Kashmiri people. Ambassador Khan highlighted that
India’s illegal and unilateral actions of 5th August 2019 were in contravention
to its international obligations, commitments to the United Nations and
bilateral agreements and understandings between the two countries. He also
drew attention of the audience to the grave peace and security threat posed by
these Indian actions in South Asia and called for the international community
to urge India to end its human rights violations in IIOJK and rescind illegal
and unilateral actions taken on August 5, 2019
Ambassador Khan also lauded the role played by the Pakistani and
Kashmiri American community in highlighting the gross human rights violations
in IIOJK and echoing the voice of innocent Kashmiris in the corridors of U.S.
Congress. He stressed upon them to continue sensitizing the respective Congressman
and members of civil society on this grave issue. Ambassador Khan reiterated
Government of Pakistan’s continued moral, political and diplomatic support to
the people of Jammu and Kashmir in their struggle for right to
self-determination. Dr. Ghulam N. Mir, President, WKAF said Kashmiris
cherish the moral and political support of the brotherly people of Azad Kashmir
and Pakistan in fighting off the oppression unleashed by the Indian regime. We
are grateful to the indomitable prime minister Imran khan for forcefully
advocating the cause of Indian Occupied Kashmir at all international platforms,
including his powerful speeches at the 76th United Nations General Assembly
session on September 24, 2021. He continues to support our
principled position that Kashmir conflict must be resolved according to the
UNSC resolutions passed as far back as 1948. Kashmir remains one of the most
important unfinished business items United Nations’ agenda. Dr.
Mir voiced his optimism that the political resistance in Kashmir is alive,
despite the brutal tactics of Indian occupation forces. He emphasized that
Kashmiri diaspora need to pursue the goal of right of self-determination as a
united front. United we stand but divided we fall, Mir added. Dr. Mir appealed
to the world powers in general and the United Nations in particular to bring
immense moral and political influence to bear on initiating a peace process
which will lead to a speedy, just and honorable settlement of the dispute and
restore to the people of Kashmir their inalienable right to self-determination.
Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Secretary General, WKAF said that the United Nations bears
a special responsibility to bring peace to Kashmir because it was in its
chamber more than 74 years ago that India made a pledge to the world body in
general and to the people of Kashmir in particular that they would be enabled
to decide their future under an impartially supervised plebiscite on the basis
of their unfettered right of self-determination. That promise has not been kept
and in fact, has been repudiated in cynical violation of the principles
enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. “No consideration of the
Kashmir dispute which is designed to arrive at a peaceful settlement will yield
any result unless the Kashmiri viewpoint is fully taken into account,” Fai
emphasized. Dr. Fai said that Kashmir conflict has many dimensions: Political,
diplomatic, humanitarian, etc. But the goal of all these dimensions is just
one: to have a greater understanding of world powers, including the United
States to help us to exercise the right to self-determination as was guaranteed
under UN Security Council resolutions. ‘Unfortunately, both Trump and Biden
administrations favored India over the people of Kashmir. They made no protests
at the United Nations Security Council over India's violations of human rights
or its plebiscite resolutions. They gave India a veto over any third-party
intervention knowing it would be employed to the disadvantage of Kashmiris,”
Fai said. Dr. Imtiaz underscored that
the events of August 5, 2019, are consistent with the ruthless occupation and
suppression the people of Kashmir have suffered under the unpopular Indian
rule. All the features of severe political repression are evident -- the
detention without trial, torture, execution, the torturing of neighborhoods,
imprisonment of leadership and gang rapes by the Indian army -- are common
daily occurrences. It is in the interest of world peace that India and Pakistan
need to resolve the Kashmir dispute to the satisfaction of the people of Jammu
and Kashmir. Sardar Zarif Khan, Chief Coordinator of the event said despite the
persistent and pernicious tyranny, the people of Kashmir never have nor ever
will give up their right to be free. It is based on the internationally recognized,
and principled stand. The Kashmiri
diaspora and its allies worldwide stand in solidarity with the people of Jammu
& Kashmir. We stand in support of their unyielding struggle to resist
occupation and achieve their right to self-determination. Sardar
Shoaib Khan, Coordinator of the event said that it was our duty to support the
people of Kashmir who are struggling for their right to self-determination. Our
objective is to draw the attention of the world powers to the situation in
Kashmir and to exert pressure on the government of India and to resolve dispute
over Kashmir and help stop human right violations in Indian occupied Kashmir. In the end, the participants
called upon the United Nations in general and Biden Administration in particular
to play an active part in ensuring that the promises made to the people of
Kashmir at the U.N. more than seven decades ago, be fulfilled and an
opportunity given to the people to participate in a free and fair referendum to
determine their future in line with their inalienable right to
self-determination. Dr. Fai can be reached at: 1-202-607-6435 / gnfai2003@yahoo.com
4
Two martyred;
Oct 10 2021; In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian police
martyred a Kashmiri youth in Srinagar, this evening. The police shot dead the
youth in Natipora area of Srinagar. Indian troops martyred an unarmed civilian,
Pervez Ahmad, by opening fire on his vehicle at Monghal Bridge in Islamabad
district, last evening. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2021/10/08/one-more-youth-martyred-in-iiojk-toll-rises-to-two.html
5 FAFT; Oct 10 2021; India under fascist Narendra Modi has become a security threat to the world but is being overlooked by Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and other global bodies. A report released by Kashmir Media Service, today, said India is financing and sponsoring terrorism in Pakistan and other regional countries. “India is a fit case to be blacklisted by FATF for its money laundering, terrorism sponsoring. 44 Indian banks have been flagged for carrying out suspicious transactions worth more than $1 billion,” it said. The report said that the FATF must take action against India and Modi for being involved in terror financing and money laundering and the upcoming plenary meeting of the financial body is the right time to blacklist New Delhi for its suspicious transactions. https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2021/10/09/fatf-must-blacklist-india-for-terror-financing-money-laundering.html
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