Islamabad: The Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Salvation Movement(JKSM), Altaf Ahmed Bhat, expresses sincere appreciation for the efforts of UN Special Rapporteur on minority issues, Fernand de Varennes, in shedding light on the critical situation faced by the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Chairman JKSM Altaf Ahmed Bhat acknowledges and supports the concerns raised by Fernand de Varennes regarding the planned G20 meeting in Srinagar, emphasizing the need to address the ongoing violations of human rights in IIOJ&K.
Fernand de Varennes, in his recent statement, courageously outlined the severe rights violations endured by the Kashmiri Muslims. These violations include acts of torture, extrajudicial killings, and the denial of political participation rights, all of which have escalated following the suspension of democratic rights and local elections under direct rule from New Delhi since August 5, 2019.
The Chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Salvation Movement shares Mr. de Varennes’ alarm regarding the worsening situation in Jammu and Kashmir. Moreover, stressing the potential consequences of the loss of political autonomy and the implementation of new Domicile Rules, which could lead to altered demographic composition, political disenfranchisement, and diminished political participation and representation for Kashmiri and other minorities. These developments threaten the linguistic, cultural, and religious rights of the people.
Chairman JKSM Altaf Ahmed Bhat further added that it rightly highlighted that the G20 meeting unwittingly provides a semblance of normalcy while massive human rights violations, arbitrary arrests, political persecutions, and restrictions on media and human rights defenders persist in Jammu and Kashmir.
Chairman JKSM said that the Kashmir issue is an issue of humanity, he called for upholding international human rights obligations and the principles outlined in the UN Declaration of Human Rights, asserting that the situation in Jammu and Kashmir demands condemnation rather than being brushed aside or overlooked.
Chairman JKSM said G20, UN, UNSC, P5, and EU should come forward and help resolve the long pending Kashmir issue, as Kashmiris are freedom and peace-loving Nation, demanding the right to self-determination as per United Nations. He also urged them to make India
adhere to international laws and norms, which prohibit organizing international conferences in disputed territories.
Chairman Bhat said that Indian state terrorism has cost hundreds of thousands of lives of Kashmiris. Since 1989 Indian occupation forces have killed 96,186 innocent Kashmiris, among them 7,292 in custody, while 165,844 Civilian arrested 110,498 Structures Arsoned/Destroyed, 22,960 Women Widowed, 1,07,903, Children Orphaned, 11,257 Women gang-raped / Molested the blood of these martyrs will never go in vain.
He also condemned the widespread arrest spree, search and cordon operations, and raids on the houses of pro-freedom leaders and termed it the frustration of the Modi-led BJP govt of India.
Bhat calls upon the international community to heed their voices, support their initiatives, and work towards a just and peaceful resolution to the Kashmir issue.