Global Attention Needed on Human Rights Violations in IIOJK

How long will the world remain silent while Kashmiris suffer? It is time for the international community to take a stand for justice and human rights.

Advocate Pervez Shah, General Secretary of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference Azad Jammu and Kashmir (APHC-AJK) chapter, has called on the global community to take urgent notice of the human rights violations occurring in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). He highlighted that the people of IIOJK have endured years of suffering and oppression, yet their voices continue to be ignored by the international community.

While addressing the 58th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Shah underscored the need for the world to listen to the grievances of the Kashmiri people. He stated that every individual deserves to have their pain acknowledged, and Kashmiris are no exception. Their hardships must not be overlooked, and the global community must act to bring justice to the region. According to him, human rights violations should never be tolerated, no matter where they occur.

Shah emphasized that the people of IIOJK have pinned their hopes on the international community, expecting support for their fundamental rights. He urged world leaders and human rights organizations to stand with the Kashmiri people rather than leaving them to suffer in silence. Ignoring their struggles, he warned, would be a betrayal of human rights principles that democratic societies claim to uphold.

The advocate also commended the efforts of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in raising awareness of human rights violations across the globe. He particularly appreciated the Commissioner’s recent statement, which condemned the increasing restrictions imposed on human rights activists and independent journalists in IIOJK. He pointed out that these individuals face constant harassment, threats, and censorship, making it difficult for them to report the truth about the situation in the region.

Shah further stated that the High Commissioner’s remarks have provided a glimmer of hope for those who continue to fight against injustice. However, he also expressed disappointment that human rights, which should be the foundation of every democratic system, have been sidelined in favor of political and strategic interests. He urged international organizations, humanitarian groups, and global leaders to break their silence and take meaningful action to support the Kashmiri people in their struggle for dignity and justice.

The Kashmir issue, he reiterated, is not just a regional conflict but a test of the global community’s commitment to human rights. He called upon the United Nations, human rights bodies, and major world powers to put pressure on India to end its oppressive policies in IIOJK and allow Kashmiris to exercise their fundamental rights.

Shah’s speech at the Human Rights Council served as a reminder that peace and justice cannot be achieved without international intervention. He concluded by urging the world to prioritize human rights over political interests and take concrete steps toward resolving the Kashmir conflict.