India urged to respect human rights of Kashmiris in IIOJK

MUZAFFARABAD: Dr Raja Zahid Khan, Member of the Advocacy Committee at the AJK State Commission on the Status of Women (Women’s Commission Azad Jammu and Kashmir) and a prominent human rights advocate representing Amnesty International, emphasised the urgency for India to confront its human rights violations, notwithstanding its claims of economic stimulus.

Dr Zahid underscored that while India successfully hosted the G20 conference, showcasing its influence on the world stage, its Hindutva ideology has failed to obscure the severe human rights abuses, especially those directed at the women and children of Jammu and Kashmir.

The Member of the Advocacy Committee at the Women’s Commission AJK also drew attention to the recent report by the UN Human Rights Commission, which meticulously documented the widespread state-sanctioned torture, abductions, and gender-based violence both before and after the abrogation of Article 37A and 370.

Dr Zahid reminded the international community of the horrific crime of mass rape committed against the female residents of Kunan Poshpora, including innocent baby girls, stressing the imperative need to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Furthermore, Dr Zahid emphasised the pivotal role of the State Commission on the Status of Women, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, as the primary representative body dedicated to defending the rights and well-being of women and children on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC). He raised concerns over India’s consistent denial of access to the troubled region of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir for international human rights organisations.

He highlighted the media embargo imposed by the Indian state, which has allowed those responsible for violence against women to evade accountability for their heinous actions.

The Women’s Commission Azad Jammu and Kashmir remains steadfast in its commitment to advocating for justice, human rights, and gender equality, and calls upon India to address these pressing issues, promoting a more inclusive and just society for all.