Global Experts Condemn Enforced Disappearances by India in IIOJK

International experts and human rights advocates have condemned India’s practice of enforced disappearances in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), labeling it a crime against humanity.

At a recent seminar hosted by the Kashmir Institute of International Relations, concerns were raised about the nearly 10,000 reported cases of missing persons since 1989. The seminar, moderated by Altaf Hussain Wani, took place alongside the 57th session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC).

The event drew diplomats, human rights defenders, and international civil society members. Key speakers included Ghulam Muhammad Safi, Dr. Sajjad Latif, Mary Scully, and Syed Muhammad Ali.

Speakers highlighted the profound impact of enforced disappearances on Kashmiri families, who endure immense grief and uncertainty. They criticized the Indian government for not ratifying the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, despite global demands for accountability.

The participants urged the international community to address these human rights violations. They called for an independent investigation into the enforced disappearances and unmarked mass graves in IIOJK.

The seminar also focused on the plight of “half-widows” and “half-wives”—women whose husbands have disappeared. These women face not only emotional suffering but also social stigma and legal challenges.

The experts condemned India’s ongoing neglect of these issues and its refusal to acknowledge the suffering of these families. They stressed the need for urgent international intervention to resolve this humanitarian crisis and ensure justice for the victims of enforced disappearances in IIOJK.