British MP highlights rights violations in IIOJK

A crucial debate on human rights violations in occupied Jammu and Kashmir was held in the UK House of Commons, led by Sarah Smith MP. The debate highlighted the repression under Indian occupation, drawing attention to arbitrary detentions, extrajudicial killings and other human rights abuses.

Fahim Kayani, President of Tehreek-e-Kashmir UK and All Parties Kashmir Alliance UK, congratulated Sarah Smith MP for bringing the issue to the UK Parliament, stating that the discussion exposed the "brutal face of Indian occupation in Kashmir."

Opening the debate, Sarah Smith MP criticized India's occupation forces, stating that they continue to enforce "repressive policies, including arbitrary detention, extrajudicial killings, and other serious abuses." She highlighted that laws such as the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, and the Public Safety Act obstruct justice, impede accountability, and deprive victims of their rights.

Amnesty International also raised concerns, stating that the Armed Forces Special Powers Act gives Indian forces "de facto legal immunity" for human rights violations, while the UN Special Rapporteur Mary Lawlor stressed that "states must respect human rights obligations and be held accountable for violations."

Amnesty's review of habeas corpus petitions revealed a sevenfold increase in Public Safety Act cases after 2019, disproportionately affecting Muslim-majority areas like Srinagar over Hindu-majority Jammu.

Several MPs called for the UK to condition its trade agreements with India on improvements in human rights in Kashmir

Imran Hussain MP highlighted 70 years of suffering, persecution, and oppression faced by Kashmiris. He condemned enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and what he described as the world's largest military occupation.

Ayoub Khan MP questioned the UK's stance on human rights, asking, "How can we claim to champion human rights while turning a blind eye to atrocities in Indian occupied Kashmir?" He compared Kashmir's situation to conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, criticizing Western inaction.

Tahir Ali MP challenged India's democratic claims, asking, "If India is the world's largest democracy, why does it refuse international observers in Kashmir?" He condemned extrajudicial killings, sexual violence, and the use of pellet guns against schoolchildren, asserting that Kashmir is not a bilateral issue but a matter of self-determination for the Kashmiri people.

A number of British MPs, including Andy McDonald, Stella Creasy, Yasmin Qureshi, Jim Shannon, Harpreet Uppal, Gareth Snell, Wendy Morton, and Paul Waugh, participated in the debate, raising concerns over human rights violations in occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

The debate reinforced growing international concern over occupied Kashmir and called for greater accountability, transparency, and global intervention to address the ongoing human rights crisis.