US lawmakers raise concerns over situation in IOK

US congresswoman Rashida Taliba urges govt to take action against the human rights violation

US lawmakers have raised concerns over the gross human rights violation by the Indian forces in Kashmir.

US Congresswoman Rashida Taliba took to social media to condemn India’s decision to revoke Article 370 and 35A, imposing a communication blockade in the region and denying basic healthcare facilities to the Kashmiris.

 

While I have deep respect for India and its important relationship with the US, I condemn the revocation of #Article370 & #Article35A, the imposed comms blockade, suppression of life-saving medical care, and reports of widespread human rights violations in #Jammu and #Kashmir.

— Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (@RepRashida) September 13, 2019

“The United States government should support UN-backed peaceful resolution that restores autonomy and ensures self-determination of the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” read a statement released by Taliba.

While expressing deep respect for New Delhi and its relationship with Washington, the congresswoman disapproved of the lockdown by the Indian occupying forces – including the communication blockade and shortage of life-saving medicines.

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She urged the Indian government to take responsibility for the human rights violation and immediately lift the communication blockade and curfew.

The congresswomen also added that the people of occupied Kashmir should not have to fear unjust detention, rape and torture because of their religion.

 

I urge the Indian government to accept responsibility for the human rights violations being carried out, hold the responsible parties accountable, and lift the comms blockade and all curfew restrictions to shed light on what is happening in Jammu and Kashmir.

— Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (@RepRashida) September 13, 2019

“I have met with residents in Michigan who cannot even call their families in Kashmir to ensure they are safe – a truly unimaginable situation as violence, militarisation, and occupation continues.  Jammu and Kashmir is already one of the most militarised regions on Earth, and India’s recent actions create more instability and heighten the potential for accelerating violence,” said the statement.

US Congressman Brad Sherman also took to social media to announce that his subcommittee will soon hold hearings to discuss the human rights violation in IOK.

He noted that he – along with several other colleagues - had a meeting with the State Department official Ambassador Wells to discuss the legal status of the occupied valley.

 

Yesterday, I hosted several of my colleagues in a meeting with Ambassador Wells, the top State Department official focused on South Asia. Most of our discussions focused on Kashmir, both the immediate human rights situation and the legal status of Kashmir. 1/2

— Rep. Brad Sherman (@BradSherman) September 13, 2019

 

We will soon be holding hearings in my Subcommittee to discuss human rights in South Asia. We will discuss, among other things, the need to restore communications and restore civil liberties in Kashmir. 2/2

— Rep. Brad Sherman (@BradSherman) September 13, 2019