London
Member of Parliament (MP) and Chairperson of the All-Party Parliamentary Kashmir Group (APPKG), Debbie Abrahams has expressed concerns over the grave human rights violations, revocation of special status and illegal detentions in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
Debbie Abrahams in an official letter to the UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson said that APPKG consists of parliamentarians from all faiths and Kashmiri, Indian and Pakistani heritage and focuses on promoting human rights across all parts of Kashmir.
After the cancellation of PM Boris Johnson’s visit to India due to COVID-19 and Indian inclusion in G-7 Summit, she said, “I fully support your endeavours to strengthen international relations which support jobs and investment across the UK, I need to make you aware of the strongly held views parliamentarians of all political parties regarding the primacy of human rights and that these cannot be compromised in any trade deal. The APPKG is particularly concerned about escalating violence across Jammu and Kashmir and most recently at the Line of Control.
Explaining the revocation of special status of IIOJK, MP Debbie Abrahams said that You (PM UK) will be aware that the Indian government revoked Article 370 and in particular Article 35A which had given special status to the people of Kashmir since partition. The Indian Government annulled Kashmir’s constitution split the area into two territories – Ladakh, and Jammu and Kashmir – and has imposed direct rule by the Indian Government from Delhi. A dozen petitions challenging the constitutionality of the move remain pending with India’s Supreme Court.
“Many prominent Kashmiri politicians and public figures in the region have been detained with no recourse or under threat. Even children have been detained without charge. Activists say hundreds of people, including separatists, political moderates, civil society advocates and journalists remain in jail; it is unclear where some are being held. Accusations of torture by security forces have been widespread. Cell phone and internet access were blocked in the region and this remains patchy 17 months on”, she added.
She further explained that thousands, including civilians have been killed in the cordon and search operations. It has been reported that Indian army officers are often given rewards for the capture and killing of militants, either in financial pay-offs or promotions. Organisations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have raised concerns about human rights abuses in the region.
UN human rights experts last year called on India and the international community to take urgent action to address the alarming human rights situation in Jammu and Kashmir territory.—KMS
