Kashmir Diaspora Coalition condemns Indian restriction of freedom of speech of Esteemed Dr. Asif Dar under the draconian law
WASHINGTON, Jan 10 (SABAH): 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 Esteemed Dr. Asif Maqbool Dar as illegal under the international law.
On January 7, 2023, the Hindutva-led Indian Home Ministry declared the highly respected Kashmiri diaspora leader, 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 (Kashmir), especially the use of ‘lawless laws’ to intimidate the indigenous population.
The Kashmir Diaspora Coalition statement said that 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.
The KDC statement said that 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 said that currently, upwards of 900,000 Indian military forces and paramilitaries are militarily occupying the disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Kashmir Diaspora Coalition statement said that 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.
“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” the KDC said.
“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” Kashmir Diaspora Coalition statement said.
“Similarly, we condemn their illegal incarceration of journalists, human rights defenders, political leaders and demand they withdraw their foreign military from neighborhoods in Kashmir” the statement said.
“Lastly, we appeal 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 Kashmir” Kashmir Diaspora Coalition said in the statement.
It is worth mentioning here that Kashmir Diaspora Coalition is a Coalition of six Kashmiri diaspora organizations advocating for the right to self-determination, democratic rights and basic human and political rights of the people of Kashmiris, and to achieve peace and prosperity in the region.