Kashmiri Representatives Urge UN to Hold India Accountable for Rights Violations

Is India’s democratic image merely a facade? Kashmiri representatives at the UN are demanding global action against New Delhi’s systematic human rights abuses in IIOJK.

At the 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council, Kashmiri representatives have urged the international community to intervene and hold India accountable for its ongoing human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). They emphasized the need for global powers, particularly the United Nations, to take a firm stance against India’s oppressive policies in the region.

Chairman of the Kashmir Institute of International Relations (KIIR), Altaf Hussain Wani, criticized the clear contradiction between India’s claims of being a democracy and its harsh treatment of Kashmiris in IIOJK. He highlighted that draconian laws, such as the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), have been weaponized to create a climate of fear, suppress dissent, and curb fundamental freedoms. These laws, he stated, expose the reality of India’s authoritarian rule in the disputed territory.

Wani further stressed that the UN High Commissioner’s global update on human rights aligns with the dire situation in IIOJK. Arbitrary detentions, repression of human rights defenders, and media censorship have shattered the illusion of democracy in IIOJK. He called upon the UN Human Rights Council to take decisive measures to address the systematic suppression of Kashmiri voices and to ensure the protection of their fundamental rights.

Advocate Pervez Shah, Secretary General of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference Azad Jammu and Kashmir (APHC-AJK), also welcomed the UN High Commissioner’s concerns regarding the deteriorating civic space in IIOJK. He condemned India’s harassment of journalists and activists, stating that the international exposure of these repressive measures should serve as a wake-up call for the global community. Shah remarked that India’s so-called democratic values have been exposed at the UN, leaving no room for New Delhi to deny its brutal actions in IIOJK.

The Kashmiri delegation at the UN session reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for justice on the global stage. They announced plans to push for a third report by the UN High Commissioner on the human rights crisis in IIOJK. The report would highlight the suffering of pro-freedom leaders, the increasing restrictions on civil liberties, and the urgent need for an inclusive and peaceful resolution to the long-standing Kashmir conflict.

The representatives concluded by urging world powers, human rights organizations, and the UN to break their silence and take meaningful action to address the ongoing oppression in IIOJK. They emphasized that justice for Kashmiris is not just a regional issue but a critical test of the global community’s commitment to human rights and international law.