LKF 2024 Bi-Annual Review: Human Rights Situation in IIOJK

The Legal Forum for Kashmir (LFK) has released its 2024 bi-annual review on the human rights situation in Indian illegally occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK). The report includes data from official sources, media groups, NGOs, and victims’ families. Various sources were fact-checked to ensure accuracy.

Continued State Repression:

The first six months of 2024 saw ongoing state repression and counter-insurgency operations in IIOJK. Violations of International Human Rights Law (IHRL) and International Humanitarian Law (IHL) led to severe human tragedies. International responses to these atrocities were inconsistent.

Atrocity Crimes:

The report highlights various egregious violations, some amounting to war crimes and crimes against humanity. These include:

– Heavy-handed repression

– Confiscation and demolition of civilian properties

– Torture and enforced disappearances

– Extrajudicial executions

Targeting Human Rights Defenders:

Human rights defenders and journalists often faced excessive force and repressive policies. Anti-terror laws were used to criminalize the work of human rights organizations, civil societies, socio-religious organizations, and digital media networks in IIOJK. These laws override universal safeguards guaranteed under the UDHR, ICCPR, and other international conventions.

Escalating Atrocity Crimes:

On-ground research revealed escalating atrocity crimes against civilians in the UN-recognized disputed territory. These crimes appear to be part of a transitional phase of settler colonialism, aiming to alter the region’s demographic composition.

Environmental and Health Crisis:

Since August 5, 2019, occupying authorities have disregarded regulations and protocols designed to protect the local population’s health and environment. This disregard has worsened the region’s already dire situation, leading to a deepening health and environmental crisis.

The LFK report provides a comprehensive overview of the human rights situation in IIOJK, urging the international community to take consistent and meaningful action against these violations.