US Congress committee to 'review humanitarian situation in Kashmir'

Political activists arrested and daily life, internet, phone communications interrupted in IOK: US congressman

The United States Congress Asia Subcommittee will hold a hearing on 'Human Rights in South Asia' on Tuesday with a focus on the humanitarian crisis in Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK).

"The hearing will focus on the Kashmir Valley, where many political activists have been arrested and daily life, the internet, and telephone communications have been interrupted," Congressman Brad Sherman, chairman of the Asia Subcommittee, said in a statement.

 

"The hearing will also review the humanitarian situation in Kashmir and whether Kashmiris have adequate supplies of food, medicine, and other essentials."



US State Department Assistant Secretary Alice Wells, who oversees all policy towards South Asia, will testify at the hearing, as will Scott Busby, who oversees human rights efforts in South Asia.

"In August, I had an opportunity to meet with Americans from Kashmir Valley in the San Fernando Valley, along with my colleague Congressman André Carson (D-IN). We heard stories of difficulties encountered by my constituents and others, and the fears they have for their loved ones. Since then I have had several additional meetings with Kashmiri Americans. I look forward to learning more about human rights in Kashmir," said Congressman Sherman.

"We have invited other State Department officials and we also expect to hear from private human rights activists on the issues," he added.

US senators have written to New Delhi more than once calling for an end to the humanitarian crisis in the disputed Himalayan valley.

The White House has repeatedly urged the Indian government to lift the information blockade and curfew imposed upon nine million Kashmiris for over two months.

On October 5, US lawmakers took legislative actions against India for the very first time.

In its report ahead of the annual Foreign Appropriations Act for 2020, the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations asked New Delhi to lift its lockdown and curfew, as well as, release detainees.

The report, submitted to the Senate by Lindsey Graham notes with concern, “the current humanitarian crisis in Kashmir and calls on the Government of India to fully restore telecommunications and Internet services; lift its lockdown and curfew; and release individuals detained pursuant to the Government’s revocation of Article 370 of the Indian constitution”.



Lawmakers of the British Parliament were also recently in an uproar over the draconian clampdown in IOK and condemned the human rights violations by Indian security forces in the disputed valley.

Labour Party’s deputy leader and former defence minister Tom Watson affirmed support to the Kashmiris, while MP Liam Byrne dismissed India’s stance that the matter was a bilateral issue.

“Human rights violations are an international matter,” said the British lawmaker, adding that India must end the lockdown.

“It is time the Kashmir dispute be resolved with the consent of the Kashmiris – the main stakeholders.”