Freedom as a birthright

Letter August 09, 2020
Even after a year of severe violence and oppression, international communities still choose to ignore the gross violation of human rights being carried out in IIOJK.

KARACHI:

Even after a year of severe violence and oppression, international communities still choose to ignore the gross violation of human rights being carried out in IIOJK. Life has become unbearable for the people of Kashmir as they continue to face the wrath of the Modi government.

In an interview, a Kashmiri citizen expressed his despair, saying, “We are denied many rights but need to give our best in this suffocating environment.” The people of the occupied valley are not only denied basic facilities and resources but are being isolated under jail-like conditions as the whole valley has been cordoned off by Indian troops. A communications blockage has restricted their freedom of expression while journalists have died trying to report on the miseries that the Kashmiris are embroiled in. The Indians have not only been successful in suppressing dissent but they have strategically found a way to hide or mask the truth.

One cannot fathom as to why the UN remains silent while Modi destroys Kashmir. Their economy is has suffered a loss of $5.3 billion since August 2019 causing hundreds of thousands of youngsters who were associated with the IT and tourism sector to lose their jobs. This is time for the world to stand together in solidarity with the people of Kashmir and their demand for freedom. Only the power of a collective voice may pave the way for the change that is needed.

Khizran Zehra Baloch

Karachi

Published in The Express Tribune, August 9th, 2020.

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