The time is opportune for UN to get engaged with Kashmir issue…Professor (Dr.) Imtiaz Khan

Human Rights Day, celebrated annually on December 10, is an occasion to promote the protection of human rights worldwide. It commemorates the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the United Nations General Assembly on December 10, 1948. This declaration outlines fundamental rights and freedoms to which all people are entitled, such as the right to life, liberty, and security, freedom of expression, and the right to participate in the political, civil, economic, social and cultural life of their society.

Indian-occupied Kashmir, often referred to as Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), has been under military occupation since 1947. There have been widespread reports of arbitrary arrests and detentions in Kashmir, often without proper legal process. Torture, both physical and psychological, is also a common complaint among those who are detained.

To break the will of Kashmiris struggling for the exercise of their UN-pledged right of self-determination, India has deployed over 900,000 soldiers fully armed and with unlimited powers under the draconian Kashmir specific laws. They have wreaked havoc in the region, including mass killing of youth, gang rapes and blinding children with pellet guns. The atrocities inflicted on the hapless Kashmiris have been documented by the Unit3d Nations High Commissioner on Human Rights, United Nations Thematic Rapporteurs, as well as by Indian and international human rights organizations, like Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and others.

Since year 2019, when Indian government by act of parliament abrogated article 370 and 35A, a sinister design to change the demographics of the region is being actively pursued. Hundreds of thousands of fundamentalist Hindus from India are being provided domicile certificates and settled in the region. The goal is to change the Muslim majority character of Kashmir that can lead to outcome in their favour down the road, in case plebiscite is held.

land grab pushed by occupation forces is continuing at breakneck speed and thousands of acres of land has been taken over by the occupation forces. Kashmiri people are being devoid of their property and armed Hindu militants are being settled on these properties.

Freedom of Expression and Press Restrictions: Media, both local and foreign in Kashmir have been restricted, with journalists and activists often facing harassment, intimidation, and violence. Journalists and activists in Kashmir face restrictions on their work. The government has used laws such as the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and Public Safety Act (PSA) to detain individuals accused of speaking out against Indian rule or expressing solidarity with the Kashmiri independence movement.

We, Americans of Kashmiri origin, though limited in numbers consider ourselves extremely fortunate to be the citizens of this country. We feel highly indebted to this country for the magnanimity in providing fair opportunity to succeed and realize our dreams. But while we are enjoying the benefits of freedom of expression in USA, we are pained by the repression and gross injustice in Indian occupied Kashmir, that is the place of our origin.

Displacement: The ongoing conflict and violence have led to a significant displacement of Kashmiri civilians. Thousands of families have been forced to flee their homes due to military operations, cross-border violence, and other security concerns. According to the United Nations, the number of Kashmiris migrated to various countries since 1947 is estimated to be 1.5 million.

Cultural and Religious Repression: The Kashmiri Muslim population, which constitutes the majority in the region, has faced significant cultural and religious suppression under Indian rule. This includes restrictions on religious gatherings, attacks on religious sites, and other measures to curtail the expression of Kashmiri identity.

International Reaction: Dr. Gregory Stanton, Chairman, Genocide Watch has said that Kashmir is at the brink of genocide. New York-based ‘Committee to Protect Journalists’ has said that the news media in Kashmir is at the brink of extinction. Despite these reports, the international community’s response has been relatively muted, often due to geopolitical considerations, with many countries balancing their relationships with India, with business considerations.

The time for issuing empty statements has passed as India has refused to budge from her immoral stand. The time is opportune for UN to get engaged with this issue, prevail upon India to implement the resolutions and provide succor to the people of Kashmir. Doing so will provide glimmer of hope not only to Kashmiris but to other oppressed people of world, especially when the clouds of war are hovering across the continents.

Dr. Imtiaz Khan is a Kashmiri-American scholars who is considered a leading expert on Kashmir affairs. He can be reached at: imtiaz.k86@yahoo.com