Pakistan, 50 countries demand action to end Kashmir humanitarian crisis

A joint statement calls for immediate cessation of brutalities against people of occupied Kashmir

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan submitted at the UN Human Rights Council a statement on Wednesday on behalf of 50 countries, expressing concern over the illegal annexation of occupied Kashmir by India.

In the statement, the signatories call for immediate cessation of brutalities against the people of Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK) and protection of human rights in the disputed territory.

“The worsening human rights and humanitarian situation in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, especially following decisions taken on August 5, 2019, requires urgent attention by the Human Rights Council and human rights mechanisms,” it says.

The statement asks for immediate lifting of curfew while expressing concern over reports of rape, brutality, and enforced disappearances coming from the region.

Pakistan demands UN probe of India actions in IOK, fears ‘genocide’

It adds that the signatories share the concern expressed by High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet regarding the impact of recent actions on the rights of Kashmiris.

Pakistan asks for immediate halt of force and pellet guns in the region along with access for human rights organisations as well as international media.

Implementation of the recommendations of OHCHR’s Kashmir Reports – including the establishment of a UN Commission of Inquiry to investigate egregious human rights violations – has also been demanded in the joint statement.

It requests for regular reporting by the UN high commissioner on human rights in Occupied Kashmir, while it says that the dispute should be resolved as per UN Security Council resolutions.

Pakistan’s Foreign Office thanked the 50 countries which signed the joint statement in support of the people of IOK.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi held a special meeting with UN Human Rights Council President Coly Seck in Geneva. The two leaders discussed India’s unilateral steps and blatant violations of human rights in the region.

Qureshi said the steps India had taken were illegal and in contravention with the UN Security Council resolutions. He said Delhi’s decision to strip IOK of its autonomy an attempt to change the demographic composition of the population.

Seck expressed concern over the abuse of human rights and said the entire world was cautiously watching the situation and India’s moves.