GENEVA (Kashmir English): The Kashmiri delegation staged a strong protest outside the United Nations (UN) office in Geneva, condemning India’s illegal occupation and ongoing human rights violations in occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
The protest was attended by people from various walks of life, who highlighted the dire political and human rights situation in occupied Kashmir.
They appealed to the UN Human Rights Council for immediate intervention to prevent further bloodshed and protect the rights of citizens.
Highlighting the plight of prisoners, he said that thousands of Kashmiris arrested before and after August 5, 2019, are still languishing in jails far from their homes.
They said that the Indian authorities have long been carrying out arbitrary arrests under draconian laws and that this is being used as a weapon to suppress Kashmiri political leaders, members of civil society, journalists, lawyers, and human rights defenders.
The speakers demanded the immediate release of all illegally imprisoned leaders and activists.
The United Nations was urged to pressure India to end its authoritarian policies, including attempts to change the population ratio in occupied Kashmir.
During the protest, the international community was urged to play its role in finding a lasting solution to the Kashmir issue.
Furthermore, the speakers highlighted the arbitrary arrests of Kashmiris under draconian laws, including political leaders, civil society members, journalists, and human rights defenders.
The increasing repression following the Pahalgam incident was condemned, and the ban imposed on more than a dozen political parties was termed a deliberate conspiracy to suppress political dissent.
The Kashmiri delegation also organized a cultural exhibition outside the UN office, showcasing Kashmiri art and handicrafts that are facing existential threats under Indian occupation.
The participants included All Parties Hurriyat Conference Convener Ghulam Muhammad Safi, former AJK Minister Chaudhry Pervez Ashraf, Kashmir Institute of International Relations (KIIR) Chairman Altaf Hussain Wani, Executive Director Sardar Amjad Yousaf, Advocate Pervez Shah, Dr. Raja Sajjad, Ms. Shamim Shawal, Dr. Muzammil Ayub Thakur, Dr. Shagufta Ashraf, Mirza Asif Jaral, Ali Raza Syed, and others.
