LFK Report Reveals Escalating Human Rights Violations in IIOJK

The Legal Forum for Kashmir (LFK) has unveiled its comprehensive Bi-Annual Review for 2024, highlighting severe human rights violations and escalating repression in Indian illegally occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK). The report underscores the ongoing plight of the Kashmiri people and calls for urgent international intervention.

The bi-annual review meticulously documents an extensive array of human rights abuses committed by Indian occupying authorities and forces in the first half of 2024. The report states that from January to June 2024, there was a sustained trend of state repression, with 202 cordon and search operations (CASOs) resulting in 72 deaths. These casualties include 19 civilians, 23 freedom fighters, and 30 Indian troops, as reported by the Legal Forum for Kashmir.

LFK’s investigation highlights numerous cases of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and the use of anti-terror laws to suppress dissent and silence human rights defenders. The report reveals the systematic use of torture and other forms of inhumane treatment against civilians, aiming to instill fear and suppress any form of resistance.

In a grim account of the ongoing conflict, the report details how heightened militarization has worsened the human tragedy in IIOJK. The occupying forces have not only intensified their military operations but have also engaged in the confiscation and demolition of civilian properties, leading to significant displacement and suffering among the local population.

The report further sheds light on the plight of human rights defenders, lawyers, and journalists who have faced increased targeting and persecution. The misuse of anti-terror laws by occupying authorities has criminalized the efforts of civil society organizations, socio-religious groups, and independent media, effectively stifling free expression and assembly.

LFK’s on-ground research and data collection, supported by credible sources including official records, media reports, and NGO fact-finding missions, provide a solid foundation for the report’s findings. The organization calls upon the international community to hold accountable not only the direct perpetrators but also those who order, instigate, or incite these human rights violations.

The report’s findings paint a dire picture of the situation in IIOJK. The documented abuses, including extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances, reflect a systematic approach to quelling dissent. The use of torture and other forms of inhumane treatment highlights the severe conditions faced by civilians.

The escalation of military operations and the destruction of civilian properties have led to widespread displacement and suffering. This has compounded the already dire humanitarian situation in the region, exacerbating the challenges faced by the local population.

The targeting of human rights defenders, lawyers, and journalists underscores the broader effort to silence critical voices. The misuse of anti-terror laws to criminalize civil society organizations and independent media further illustrates the repressive environment in IIOJK.

LFK’s call for international intervention emphasizes the need for a concerted effort to address these human rights violations. The organization urges the global community to hold accountable those responsible for the abuses and to support efforts to restore justice and peace in the region.

The Bi-Annual Review by the Legal Forum for Kashmir serves as a critical document, shedding light on the severe human rights situation in IIOJK. It calls for urgent action to protect the rights of the Kashmiri people and to ensure accountability for the violations committed.