Kashmiri Prisoners Face Torture as India Defies International Obligations

In a scathing letter to Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, the Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) has exposed the horrifying conditions faced by Kashmiri political prisoners under Indian custody. Authored by Acting Chairman Mehmood Ahmed Saghar, the letter condemns India’s blatant human rights abuses against activists detained for their political beliefs and commitment to justice.

The letter highlights the systemic repression plaguing Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). Activists endure raids, surveillance, enforced disappearances, and arbitrary arrests. Post-August 2019, following the abrogation of Article 370, India escalated its crackdown, detaining hundreds of activists under draconian laws. Many, including leaders like Shabir Ahmad Shah, Muhammad Yasin Malik, and Asiya Indrabi, are subjected to inhumane conditions in notorious prisons like Tihar Jail. 

These prisoners face brutal treatment, including torture, solitary confinement, and denial of basic medical care. Physical and psychological abuse has left them grappling with severe health issues, including depression and anxiety. The letter underscores the international community’s silence on this gross violation of human rights, calling it a damning indictment of global indifference.

The DFP accuses India of breaching the Geneva Convention’s protocols on political prisoners, labeling its actions as a complete disregard for international obligations. Nearly 5,000 Kashmiris, including top Hurriyat leaders, remain unjustly detained, enduring widespread abuse and denied their fundamental rights. India’s claim to democracy stands hollow as it continues to suppress dissent and silence voices advocating for freedom.

The letter calls on Pakistan to leverage its diplomatic influence to demand accountability for India’s actions. A comprehensive investigation into these abuses is essential, not only to ensure justice but also to protect the lives of prisoners like Shabir Ahmed Shah and others who are at grave risk. Saghar emphasizes that the success of the Kashmiri freedom struggle depends on Pakistan’s active role in exposing India’s crimes on the international stage.

Pakistan’s leadership has been urged to persistently advocate for the Kashmir cause. The letter stresses that a strong and united Pakistan is essential to countering India’s oppressive policies in IIOJK. It concludes with an impassioned plea to hold India accountable for its inhumane treatment of Kashmiri prisoners and to ensure their safety, dignity, and freedom. 

India’s draconian tactics have turned its prisons into torture chambers, with IIOJK’s freedom fighters paying the price for their unwavering resolve. The world can no longer ignore the atrocities committed in IIOJK, and decisive action is needed to end this reign of terror.