APHC Appeals to UN for Intervention in Kashmir Dispute and Release of Political Prisoners

As tensions escalate in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the All Parties Hurriyat Conference has renewed its call for international intervention to end decades of political unrest and human rights violations in the region.

The All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) has called on the United Nations and the international community to take immediate action to resolve the ongoing Kashmir conflict in accordance with UN resolutions. The plea was issued after a leadership meeting in Srinagar, where concerns were raised over escalating repression in the region.

Advocate Abdul Rashid Minhas, spokesperson for the APHC, stressed the urgency of settling the Kashmir issue, which has remained unresolved for decades. He urged the global community, especially countries that value peace and freedom, to play a proactive role in ending the crisis.

In a strongly worded statement, the APHC demanded the release of numerous Hurriyat leaders and political prisoners who have been detained across various Indian jails and in IIOJK. Among the jailed are prominent figures like Massarat Alam Butt, Muhammad Yasin Malik, Shabbir Ahmed Shah, Aasiya Andrabi, and human rights defender Khurram Parvaiz. The group also highlighted the detention of journalist Irfan Majeed.

The APHC believes that these arrests are part of a broader strategy by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government to dismantle the political leadership in IIOJK and silence dissent. They argue this approach is intended to suppress the movement for self-determination.

The conference appealed directly to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, asking him to intervene and safeguard the rights of Kashmiris. They emphasized the necessity of implementing UN resolutions that affirm the right of Kashmiris to self-determination.

Leaders at the meeting also expressed deep concern about the ongoing military siege in the region, the increasing tensions along the Line of Control, and the violation of international agreements such as the Indus Waters Treaty. They described these actions as having a devastating impact on the political, social, and economic well-being of the people of Kashmir.

Furthermore, the APHC called on the UN to pressure India to withdraw its military forces from IIOJK. They also demanded the repeal of repressive laws including the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), the Public Safety Act (PSA), and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), which have been widely criticized for enabling human rights abuses.

Reaffirming their dedication to the peaceful political struggle, the APHC stated that their fight will continue until a fair and just resolution is reached. They insisted that the United Nations has a moral and legal obligation to compel India to end what they described as “military and police terrorism” and resolve the Kashmir dispute based on historical and legal principles.