Kashmiris protest outside UN office against Indian rights abuses in IIOJK

Protesters in Geneva demand int’l community to force Modi govt hold ‘free and impartial referendum’ in occupied valley

GENEVA:

Tehreek-e-Kashmir’s (TeK) Switzerland chapter organised a protest outside the headquarters of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva against the human rights abuses being committed by Narendra Modi-led government in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

Chairman Jammu & Kashmir Salvation Movement (J&KSM) Altaf Ahmed Bhat, President TeK UK Fahim Kayani, and President TeK Italy Mehmood Sharif were the guest speakers at the demonstration.

Pakistani and Kashmiri diaspora, social and political activists, and human rights activists joined the protest to expose the India’s violations of all international norms, and human rights abuses in the occupied valley.

The protesters, carrying late Kashmir leader Syed Ali Geelani's photos and banners, raised slogans against the illegal occupation of IIOJK.

Addressing virtually, JKSM Chairman Altaf Ahmed Bhat said that Indian aggression since 1947 has inflicted great pain to Kashmiris, “we have lost hundreds of thousands of people, women are raped, houses are demolished, businesses destroyed, education disturbed and youth killed”.

Modi-led BJP government of India not only scrapped Articles 370 and 35-A but it pre-planned the financial and economic breakdown of Kashmir, an act aimed at breaking the will of Kashmiris for demanding their right to self-determination as per UN resolutions, Bhat added.

He further said that while the real Hurriyat leaders are languishing in different jails, Indian occupation forces are target killing Kashmiri youth, demolishing residential areas during fake encounters and attacking Journalists to curb the voice of “voiceless people”.

 

Bhat while paying glowing tributes to veteran resistance leader Geelani said that Indian fascist authorities snatched the mortal remains and did not allow his family to perform last rites.

Draconian laws such as Public Safety Act (PSA), Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), Terrorist and Disruptive Activities Act (TADA), Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) are used to suppress the voice for freedom of Kashmir from Indian occupation.

Since 1989, Indian armed forces have killed 95,861 Kashmiris among them 7,190 in custody, over 25,000 pellet gun injuries, 8,652 unmarked mass graves that have been identified in 89 villages of IIOJK, while 162,000 people arrested under draconian laws such as the Public Safety Act (PSA) and Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). Moreover, 11,000 women were raped, and 110,000 houses were torched during this time period, said the Kashmiri leader.

Tek UK President Fahim Kayani while addressing the protesters said India through diplomatic pressure at UN made to conduct a "free and impartial referendum" under the auspices of the United Nations to determine the will of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, uphold and respect the democratic verdict of the people of Kashmir.

TeK President Italy Mehmood Sharif said that the Kashmir dispute may lead to a war between two nuclear powers India and Pakistan, who have previously fought three wars.

India has been committing Human Rights violations in IIOJK since its illegal occupation. About 471 known torture camps, one after every 5kms, have been identified where 99% of detainees are tortured. While the occupation authorities hold curfews on religious occasions, and most recently demographic change initiated, a violation of international law aimed at allowing non-resident hardcore Hindus to settle down and purchase lands in Kashmir.

TeK leader Ejaz Ahmed Tahir addressing the protest rally said that Kashmir cause is alive and vibrant, “we will keep it alive internationally until Kashmir dispute is settled as per the aspirations of Kashmiris and according to UN resolutions”.