Pakistan asks UN to take notice of extra-judicial killings in IIOJK

Pakistan on Monday called upon the United Nations to take notice of the recent spate of extra-judicial killings, arbitrary arrests and illegal detentions in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi wrote to the president of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and the UN Secretary-General, apprising them about the continuing grave situation in the held valley, according to the foreign office.

He underscored the deteriorating human rights and humanitarian situation in IIOJK and the persistent threat to international peace and security posed by India’s provocative and irresponsible rhetoric as well as its track record of orchestrating 'false flag' operations.

Also read: FO strongly condemns killing of five Kashmiris in IIOJK

He pointed out that the UN human rights machinery, independent NGOs and the international media have regularly reported on and expressed concerns about the increasing intimidation, harassment and reprisal attacks by Indian occupation forces against Kashmiri human rights defenders, journalists and civil society actors.

Qureshi highlighted, in particular, the recent arrest on trumped-up charges of a renowned Kashmiri human rights activist Khurram Parvez, in complete disregard for basic human rights principles, norms and international law.

He called for the settlement of the dispute in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the UNSC, which guarantee the Kashmiris’ right to self-determination through the democratic method of a free and impartial plebiscite conducted under the auspices of the UN.

Also read: The growing killing fields of IIOJK

The minister reiterated that Pakistan is prepared to engage constructively with a view to halting the oppression in IIOJK, avoiding conflict, and realising a just and peaceful settlement of the dispute in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions.

"The onus, however, is on India to create an environment conducive for engagement by reversing the unilateral and illegal measures instituted in IIOJK since 5 August 2019, stopping its oppression and human rights violations against the people of Jammu and Kashmir, and halting and reversing the illegal demographic changes in the occupied territory," he added.

The Foreign Office added that the latest letter from the foreign minister is in continuation of Pakistan’s regular communications since August 2019 to keep the UN fully informed of the grave situation in IIOJK, and to remind the UNSC of its responsibility to ensure a peaceful and just settlement of the dispute in accordance with its resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.