The Chairman of Kashmir Institute of International Relations and permanent representative of the World Muslim Congress (WMC), Altaf Hussain Wani, has urged the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to break its silence and remind the gov-ernment of India of its international obligations towards the fundamental rights of the people of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
According to Kash mir Media Service, Altaf Hussain Wani, while speaking through video-link on behalf of the WMC in a general debate held un-der agenda item 5 during 48th Session of the UNHRC in Geneva, lambasted the Indian govern-ment for not adhering to its international obliga-tions.
“It is disappointing to note that India has run into a serious dispute with UN principles and its various bodies.
India did not acknowledge the June 2018 and July 2019 reports of OHCHR (Office of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights) on the violation of human rights in Indian illegally occu-pied Jammu and Kashmir.
India remained non-compliant to the request of 19 UN experts to allow them access to occupied territory,” he added.
Regarding the UNHRC’s mandate, he said, relevance of the Council is to respond to the human rights crises by creating mechanisms such as Com-mission of Inquiry and fact-finding missions and implementation of the recommendations of special procedures.
However, the erosion of the Council’s credibility started when states responsible for gross and systematic rights violations such as India – the worst offender of human rights systems – are elected as members, he said.
The Indian government, he said, did not respond to any of the communications of the special proce-dures on the cases of severe human rights violations in IIOJK. “
Being a member of the UNGA and the UNHRC, India cannot act with no holds barred in regards to the question of human rights and UN bodies involved in the promotion and protection of human rights,” he added.
Referring to a letter signed by 19 experts in 2020, Altaf Wani said, “The 17 recommendations made in the report of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and other communications con-tinue as an outstanding against India”.—INP
