Kashmir Diaspora Coalition, a coalition of six international Kashmir diaspora advocacy organizations, has denounced the radical Hindutva-led Indian Home Ministry’s inflammatory declaration of highly respected Kashmiri diaspora leader Dr. Asif Maqbool Dar as illegal under the international law.
Kashmir Diaspora Coalition in a statement issued in Washington said, on January 7, 2023, Indian Home Ministry declared Dr. Asif Maqbool Dar, a renowned anesthesiologist, as a ‘terrorist’ under its infamous Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).
Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the United Nations have all condemned Indian violations of human rights in the disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir, especially the use of lawless laws to intimidate the indigenous population, the statement added.
“This is just another instance of a fascist, internationally discredited political organization – BJP-, with a dwindling economy that flaunts international law and brazenly continues its military occupation against a hapless people to distract its impoverished society.”
Dr. Asif Maqbool Dar is not an Indian citizen. He is an advocate of the right to self-determination for the people of the disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir. “This right is accorded to all peoples under international law and relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions, especially Resolution 47 passed on April 21, 1947,” the statement added.
Under both the 4th Geneva Convention and Hague Regulations of 1899 and 1907, India must ensure certain rights to the indigenous people of occupied territories, i.e., the people of Kashmir, the Kashmiri diaspora urged.
Furthermore, Article 75 of Additional Protocol of 1977, affords all rights and protections for the indigenous people’s freedom of expression in the occupied territories and in diaspora.
“We demand that the Hindutva-led, fascist Indian government repeal these draconian edicts, lift the ongoing siege in the occupied territories of Jammu and Kashmir and refrain from weaponizing its law to stifle freedom of expression.”
The statement condemned the illegal incarceration of journalists, human rights defenders, political leaders and demanded the withdrawal of foreign military from Kashmir.
Kashmir Diaspora Coalition appealed to the UN, OIC, EU, Organization of American States, African Union, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International to intervene and stop India’s genocide in the disputed territory of Kashmir.—KMS
