Malik M Ashraf
THE unfortunate reality of the world politics is that it is subservient to the strategic and commercial interests of the big powers rather than adherence to internationally recognized cannons of morality, international law and the principles enshrined in the UN Charter. They are selectively employed suiting their own contrived perceptions in regards to global issues. While they cry hoarse from every convenient roof top to hurl opprobrium at the countries considered to be their foes in regards to the alleged human rights violations, they look the other way when they are committed by the countries they call their strategic partners. For example, when it comes to China the US and its western allies do not let go any opportunity to have a swipe at her for the alleged human rights violations and condemning them in the harshest possible terms, while they tend to remain indifferent in regards to blatant human rights abuses by India in the Occupied Jammu and Kashmir instead of condemning them and urging their strategic partner to stop spilling the blood of Kashmiris who are fighting for their right of self-determination.
International media and human rights organization such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have been regularly reporting blatant abuse of human rights in IOJ&K and the plight of the Kashmiris during the siege since 05 August 2019. The UN Human Rights Commission in its two successive reports has also confirmed the abuse of human rights in the state. But it has failed to stir the conscience of the so-called champions of human causes. It is because of their hypocrisy that Kashmir and Palestine issues could not be resolved in spite of UN resolutions. It is pertinent to mention that in the backdrop of the move by the Modi government to scrap Article 370 of the Indian constitution ending special status of the state, its bifurcation into two territories and annexation to the Indian Union, the UNSC in its three informal meetings reiterated that the Kashmir dispute should be resolved in conformity with the principles of the UN Charter and the relevant resolutions.
But the dilemma is that neither the UN nor the big powers have shown any enthusiasm to have those resolutions implemented or putting pressure on India to rescind the actions taken by her in regards to IOJ&K. The result is that encouraged by their indifference the Modi government continues with its ruthless use of military might and carrying out extra-judicial killings with impunity to subdue the freedom movement and the resistance it is facing against the moves to annex the territory to the Indian Union and the attempts to change demographic realities through the promulgation of new domicile law in the state. A report in the Los Angeles Times revealed that Modi made this move with the nod of approval from the Trump administration.
A recent tweet by the US State Department termed IOJ&K as ‘Indian Jammu and Kashmir’ though its spokesperson later said that Washington had not changed its position on the dispute but the tweet was not corrected. Foreign minister of Pakistan Shah Mahmood Qureshi considering it as ambiguous stance rightly said “I expect the new Biden Administration to stop ignoring the ground realities in occupied Kashmir.
It is indeed a pity that the Biden Administration which has touted respect for human rights as a key pillar of its foreign policy has so far failed to take up the abysmal human rights situation in India-occupied Kashmir with New Delhi. Like many previous US administrations, it looks like Joe Biden might reserve opprobrium for geopolitical opponents perceived to be violating human rights, while allies and trading partners will be treated with kid gloves. This is an indefensible position for any government claiming to respect and protect human rights.
The US is also taker of the alleged Indian narrative of cross-border terrorism and keeps putting pressure on Pakistan in this regard instead of taking notice of the state terrorism by India in IOJ&K, Indian sponsored terrorism in Pakistan and support to Baloch insurgents on which an exhaustive dossier with irrefutable evidence has been shared with her and the UN. Neglecting the contribution that Pakistan has made in checking terrorism in its tracks as a front line state and unprecedented losses incurred by her in terms of men and material, the annual report on terrorism for the year 2019 issued by the US State Department observed “Pakistan continued to serve as a safe haven for certain regionally focused terrorist groups. It allowed groups targeting Afghanistan, including the Afghan Taliban and affiliated HQN, as well as groups targeting India, including LeT and its affiliated front organizations, and JeM, to operate from its territory.
Pakistan took modest steps in 2019 to counter terror financing and to restrain some India-focused militant groups following the February attack on a security convoy in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir claimed by Pakistan-based JeM. Thus far, however, Islamabad has yet to take decisive actions against Indian- and Afghanistan-focused militants who would undermine their operational capability.”
It is pertinent to point out that as against this contention the UN monitoring team responsible for tracking terrorist groups and their activities, in its 27th report to the UNSC has acknowledged the on-going efforts of the Pakistan government against elements involved in terrorist activities and arresting the individuals engaged in terrorism financing and clamping down on the assets of the said designated individuals and entities. The US needs to acknowledge ground realities concerning human rights abuses in IOJ&K as well as the status of the Kashmir dispute. The US policy of selective concern on human rights abuses was actually contributing to instability of the region and vitiating her credentials as proponent of the human causes and rights.
— The writer is senior journalist, based in Islamabad.
