Joint Statement delivered by Pakistan on behalf of over 50 countries at the Human Rights Council on the human rights situation in IOJ&K
Islamabad, 10 September: Below is the text of the Joint Statement delivered today by Pakistan at the UN Human Rights Council on behalf of over 50 countries from across various regions regarding the worsening human rights and humanitarian situation in IOJ&K:
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“Mr. President,
The worsening human rights and humanitarian situation in Indian Administered Jammu & Kashmir, especially following decisions taken on August 5, 2019, requires urgent attention by the Human Rights Council and human rights mechanisms. We share the concern expressed by the High Commissioner for Human Rights Ms. Michelle Bachelet regarding the impact of recent actions on the human rights of Kashmiris.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), UN Special Rapporteurs in their joint press release of 22 August 2019, civil society organizations and international media have repeatedly expressed serious concerns about the unprecedented restrictions and on the continuous curfew imposed since August 5, 2019, curbing of fundamental freedoms, communications blackout and reports of wide spread torture, extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, molestation of women, and enforced disappearances.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres in his statement of 8 August 2019 said that “the position of the United Nations on this region is governed by the Charter of the United Nations and applicable Security Council resolutions”. This position of the UN Secretary-General has also been corroborated by OHCHR’s Kashmir Reports.
Consistent with the UN Charter, Security Council resolutions, and human rights standards and international law, the international community should ask for:
a) Respect and protection of fundamental human rights of the people of Indian Administered Jammu and Kashmir, especially the right to life, liberty and security;
b)Immediate lifting of curfew, ending the communications shutdown and release of arbitrarily detained people;
c)Immediate halt to the excessive use of force, especially the use of pellet guns;
Access of human rights organizations and international media;
d)Implementation of the recommendations of OHCHR’s Kashmir Reports including the establishment of a UN Commission of Inquiry to investigate egregious human rights violations;
e)Regular reporting by the UN High Commissioner for human rights on Jammu and Kashmir.
f)We also support a peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute through the implementation of the UNSC resolutions. “
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Pakistan wishes to express its gratitude to the countries which became part of this Joint Statement in support of the people of Kashmir, reinforcing serious concerns of the international community about the unprecedented restrictions, continued curfew and curtailment of fundamental rights and freedom of the Kashmiri population.
Pakistan also appreciates the joint call by these countries for removal of restrictions, respect and protection of the Kashmiri people, implementation of the recommendations of UN’s Kashmir reports and peaceful resolution of the Jammu & Kashmir dispute through the implementation of the UN Security Council resolutions.
Text of the Statement made by H.E. Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs at the 42nd Session of the Human Rights Council.
President Ambassador Coly Seck,
High Commissioner for Human Rights, Madam Bachelet,
Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates
At the outset I express my heartfelt condolence on the loss of life and property in Bahamas due to hurricane Dorian.
I thank you Mr. President and the Bureau for your able stewardship of the Human Rights Council.
I also commend the High Commissioner, Ms. Bachelet, and her office, for their contributions towards protecting and promoting the universal values of human rights.
I am privileged to speak today at the Human Rights Council, which is the custodian of global human rights – the third functional pillar of the United Nations.
Mr. President,
It is in this House that I have brought the plea and the petition of the people of Indian-Occupied Jammu & Kashmir; whose basic and inalienable human rights are being trampled with impunity by India. The people of this occupied land are suffering systematic, and serial, violations of their fundamental freedoms.
For the last six weeks, over 8 million Kashmiris, already in the clutches of decades-long Indian oppression, have been virtually caged by an illegal military occupation – that has swelled in ranks, within days, from 700,000 to nearly a million troops.
To what end, I ask, Mr. President?
The answer is obvious. And it lays bare the real character of a country that pretends to be a bastion of democracy, federalism and secularism.
For the last six weeks, India has transformed Occupied Jammu & Kashmir into the largest prison on this planet, with virtually no access to basic amenities and means of communication. Shops are running short of supplies, hospitals of life-saving medicines, and the sick and wounded – many of them due to the direct and indiscriminate use of force by the Indian occupation forces – unable to access even emergency health services.
For six weeks and counting, Kashmir’s political leadership of all shades has been held under house arrest, imprisoned and gagged.
Over 6,000 people, political workers, activists, students, and professionals have been arrested, without due process of law. Many of them have been forcibly shipped to jails all over India, under draconian laws operative in Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir.
Distinguished delegates,
I am not alone in drawing attention to India’s outright brutality and blatant disrespect for human dignity.
The world is speaking!
Independent and renowned international media outlets, as well as neutral observers, are regularly reporting horrendous atrocities against the people of Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir.
The BBC on 29th August reported gruesome details of torture of Kashmiri youth by Indian Occupation forces. The report quotes helpless victims as pleading “don’t beat us, just shoot us”. (I have had this article distributed to all of you for your perusal.)
Similarly, the Independent on 2nd September reported horrific episodes of extreme brutality and humiliation of Kashmiris by Indian occupation forces, who have shamelessly tortured people in public, while stripping them naked.
Another report notes that the victims of pellet guns – that have been used with abandon by the Indian occupation forces for years and have blinded scores of innocent Kashmiris for life – are now reluctant to go to hospitals for treatment due to fear of intimidation, arrest and detention by Indian occupation forces.
No, ladies and gentleman, this is not a flashback to medieval times. This barbarism is happening today – in the twenty-first century.
Of course, I do not need to remind a Human Rights Council that all this represents clear breaches of multiple international human rights instruments, that India is party to.
This is the real story of Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir, and its people under subjugation, that India is desperate to hide from the world. This is the true face of the so-called “largest democracy of the world”. This is the conduct of a country, which aspires to be a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.
Mr. President,
At the root of this mayhem is India’s refusal to grant the people of Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir their right of self-determination.
This seven-decade-old travesty of justice, has been compounded by the present Indian government’s nefarious and twisted dream – outlined explicitly in the ruling party’s manifesto – to turn, by force of arms, Jammu and Kashmir’s Muslim majority community into a minority.
India’s unilateral actions of 5th August 2019 of altering the status of Occupied Jammu & Kashmir, recognized as a disputed territory by the UN Security Council, are illegal under international law. With these illegal changes, India’s presence is, by its own yardstick, naked foreign occupation.
These measures contravene the Fourth Geneva Convention that prohibits migration to and from an occupied territory. They are also a flagrant violation of several UN Security Council Resolutions.
India’s assertion that these actions are its “internal affair” is patently false.
As a matter of fact, Jammu & Kashmir has been on the agenda of the United Nations for over 70 years now. The meeting of the Security Council on 16th August, to discuss the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, is an attestation of this fact.
What is happening in Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir is not a “country specific situation” in this Council’s parlance. The atrocities and abuses are being inflicted upon the people of a disputed and occupied territory, as affirmed by international law. The situation in this occupied territory must therefore be of direct international concern. It is not and can never be an internal matter for India.
Excellencies,
The forlorn, traumatized towns, mountains, plains and valleys of Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir reverberate today, with the grim reminders of Rwanda, Srebrenica, the Rohingya, and the pogrom of Gujarat.
The people of Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir are apprehending the worst.
Some have said that “Kashmir echoes with the silence of the graveyard”. Others contend that it is a lull before a storm.
I shudder to mention the word Genocide here, but I must. With respect to the Genocide Convention, the Kashmiri people in the occupied territory – as a national, ethnic, racial and religious group of people – face grave threats to their lives, way of living and livelihoods; from a murderous, misogynistic, and xenophobic regime. One international civil society organization, based in the US, has already issued a Genocide Alert, proclaiming that the situation in Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir has crossed the ten stages of the genocidal process.
Distinguished delegates,
India’s efforts to hide its atrocities in Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir, by falsely labeling it “terrorism”and “cross border terrorism”, are shameless and indefensible.
Pakistan has suggested a number of bilateral and multilateral mechanisms that would disprove India’s self-serving claims. We have recently proposed to double the strength of the UN Observers Mission to monitor the Line of Control. India outrightly rejects all these proposals.
I have every fear that India will once again resort to “false-flag” operations, and use the bogey of “terrorism” as a red herring, to divert international opinion, even attack Pakistan.
Another Indian ploy to deflect attention, is its increasing violations of the 2003 ceasefire understanding on the Line of Control; and regular and persistent targeting of civilians in Azad Jammu & Kashmir. India has used cluster ammunition and heavy artillery, in flagrant disregard of fundamental norms of international humanitarian law. This must end immediately.
Mr. President,
I have regularly sensitized the UN Security Council, about the grave dangers to peace and security in nuclearized South Asia and beyond, as a result of India’s reckless posture and draconian measures.
We have welcomed consultations by Security Council members on the unfolding developments.
While the Security Council is seized of peace and security dimensions of the Jammu & Kashmir dispute, the Human Rights Council must pay far greater and immediate attention to the human rights of the people of Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir.
In doing so, the Human Rights Council has, for its consideration, the two Kashmir Reports issued by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, in June 2018 and July 2019.
Both reports make a clear recommendation to this Council, to constitute an independent Commission of Inquiry, to investigate and report human rights violations in Jammu & Kashmir.
I reiterate from this platform, Pakistan’s endorsement of the recommendations of these reports.
We urge focused discussions on the two Reports in the Human Rights Council, and a unanimous decision by this House to implement their recommendations made to India, Pakistan and foremost to the Human Rights Council.\
If India has nothing to hide, it should allow unhindered access to the Commission of Inquiry, as recommended by the UN High Commissioner. Pakistan stands ready to allow access to the proposed Commission of Inquiry, or other mechanisms, on our side of the Line of Control; together with similar access to Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir.
Mr. President,
The Human Rights Council must pay heed to the plight of the Kashmiri people, and address the warning signs of a looming human catastrophe.
For this, the Council should, immediately, take the following steps:
I) Urge India to immediately stop the use of pellet guns, end the bloodshed, lift the curfew, reverse the clampdown and communications blackout, restore fundamental freedoms and liberties, release political prisoners, stop targeting human rights defenders, and fulfill obligations under the United Nations Security Council Resolutions and various human rights instruments, as required by International Law. India’s draconian emergency laws in Occupied Jammu & Kashmir cannot be allowed to stand.
II) Take steps to bring to justice the perpetrators of human rights violations of the innocent Kashmiri people, and in this context, constitute a Commission of Inquiry, as recommended by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
III) Authorize the Office of the High Commissioner, and the Human Rights Council’s Special Procedures Mandate Holders, to monitor and report on India’s human rights violations in Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir; and regularly update this Council.
IV) Call upon India to allow unhindered access to Human Rights Organizations, and international media, to the Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir.
Excellencies,
Today, I have knocked on the doors of the Human Rights Council, the repository of the world’s conscience on human rights, to seek justice and respect for the people of Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir.
At stake is our collective humanity, the principles that we all subscribe to, and what makes us human.
We must not let political, commercial, and parochial considerations cloud and impair our thoughts and action.
We must not allow this august body to be embarrassed on the world stage. As a founding member of this Council, Pakistan feels morally and ethically bound to prevent this from occurring. But to do so, we must not remain indifferent to the tragedy that is unfolding before our eyes. We must act decisively and with conviction.
Distinguished delegates,
Let us not forget that history is replete with failed, barbaric campaigns, to wage demographic wars to change facts on the ground. India’s attempt must fail. But this inevitability must occur, without allowing the illegal Indian occupation forces to spill any more innocent blood.
For seven decades, the people of Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir have awaited implementation of the UN Security Council resolutions, prescribing a plebiscite to honor their right of self-determination. History would be a most unforgiving judge, if we fail, yet again, the people of this illegally occupied territory, in their moment of greatest peril.
Mr. President,
Let the world not forget the disastrous legacy of appeasement and the great cost of it to Europe. I invite everyone here to join us as we rise for justice.
I thank you. 10 September, 2019
Statement by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on Jammu & Kashmir at Human Rights Council
Islamabad, 9 September: Responding to a media question regarding remarks made today at the 42nd session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights about the deteriorating situation in Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJ&K), the Spokesperson noted with appreciation the following very important points:
a. "I am deeply concerned about the impact of recent actions by the Government of India on the human rights of Kashmiris, including restrictions on internet communications and peaceful assembly, and the detention of local political leaders and activists."
b. "I have appealed particularly to India to ease the current lockdowns or curfews to ensure people’s access to basic services; and that all due process rights are respected for those who have been detained."
c. "It is important that the people of Kashmir are consulted and engaged in any decision-making processes that have an impact on their future."
The Spokesperson underlined that UN High Commissioner’s concerns and calls are consistent with the position taken by the UN system vis-a’-vis the human rights situation in IOJ&K including the continuing restrictions and crackdown on fundamental rights and freedoms of the Kashmiri people.
Pakistan rejects Indian attempts to portray ’normalcy’ in IOJ&K
Islamabad, 8 September: Pakistan categorically rejects Indian attempts, including the recent briefing by the Indian National Security Advisor, seeking to portray a totally false impression of normalcy in Indian occupied Jammu & Kashmir.
Indian occupied Jammu & Kashmir continues to be the largest prison in the world with the heaviest deployment of Indian occupation forces since the coercive, unilateral and illegal Indian actions of 5 August 2019 aimed at altering the internationally recognized disputed status of IOJ&K and changing its demographic structure to preempt the results of a UN plebiscite. Despite Indian claims, curfew continues.
Kashmiri leaders, especially Hurriyat leadership remain under house arrest/imprisoned. International media and credible human rights organizations continue to highlight the humanitarian nightmare (which has only intensified after more than 5 weeks) including arbitrary arrests of innocent Kashmiris, kidnapping of hundreds of young boys by Indian occupation forces to coerce their parents into submission, communication blockade (suspension of landlines, mobile phones and internet services) and restrictions/curbs on freedom of media. Shops remain closed, Kashmiris are unable to offer Friday prayers in mosques and there are credible reports of shortage of food items, including baby food and essential medicines.
Contrary to Indian claims, use of pellet guns continues in a brutal assault by Indian occupation forces against innocent Kashmiris. India has failed to justify why Kashmiris are unable to get in touch with their loved ones through the iron curtain forced by India on IOJ&K, inhumanly cutting off more than 8 million Kashmiris from the rest of the world, since 5 August 2019, prompting the international community and international human rights organizations, including Amnesty International to question Indian assertions of "normalcy" , including the denial of permission to the Indian opposition leaders themselves to visit IOJ&K.
The Government of India is exerting a completely authoritarian and dictatorial control over all information coming out of IOJ&K, distorting truth and twisting facts in a desperate attempt to promote its own narrative, which is in total contrast to the ground realities, as consistently corroborated by reports in the international media.
Most recently, India attempted to pass off a false and fabricated story, including during an Indian army presser on 4 September 2019 blaming deaths of some Kashmiris in IOJ&K on "Pakistani militants. The Indian NSA has also been trying to justify increasingly frequent reports of Kashmiri casualties by blaming them unsuccessfully on Pakistan. In a farcical attempt to twist truth, Indian army tried to portray two Pakistanis, Mohammad Nazeem and Khalil Ahmed, who had inadvertently crossed the LoC near Hajipir on 21 August 2019 as "militants." This was despite the fact that the incident was discussed during the weekly military hotline contact between both sides on 27 August 2019 when Indian authorities acknowledged that they were inadvertent crossers and informed Pakistan that routine formalities are taking place after which they will be returned. Such devious tactics reflect Indian desperation and attempts to shift international attention from the humanitarian nightmare in IOJ&K.
Pakistan has consistently sensitized the international community about the danger of a false flag operation by India to shift attention and apportion blame to Pakistan for its indefensible actions in IOJ&K.
Instead of indulging in fabricated stories, India should comply with international obligations and immediately cease its atrocities against innocent Kashmiris, lift the communication blockade and allow international fact finding missions, including the OHCHR and the OIC IPHRC and international media to visit IOJ&K to distinguish facts from fiction.
Pakistan Parliament unanimously passes resolution condemning India’s ’unilateral move’ on Kashmir
The joint parliamentary session convened to debate the country’s future course of action in the wake of India’s decision to scrap Kashmir’s special status passed a resolution unanimously on 7thAugust 2019 condemning New Delhi’s "unilateral move". It rejects India’s "illegal, unilateral, reckless and coercive attempt to alter the disputed status of Indian occupied Kashmir as enshrined in the UNSC resolutions". Moreover, it decries "other regressive measures" to change Kashmir’s demographic structure as well as "the recent surge in unprovoked firing and shelling on unarmed civilian population across the Line of Control and use of cluster bombs by Indian forces in Azad Jammu and Kashmir". The resolution also denounces the "deployment of additional troops and atrocities in Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir and other recent developments". It emphasises that the "enforcement and legitimacy of resolutions of the UNSC can never be diluted by unilateral actions". The parliament, in its resolution demands that India stop the "brutalisation of the people of IOK through killings, torture, arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, mass blinding by pellet guns, and use of rape as an instrument of war". It also stipulates that the communications blackout in occupied Kashmir be lifted, the "prolonged curfew regime" be ended, that India "stops its ruthless cordon and search operations, immediately releases the Kashmiri leadership and restores civil liberties and fundamental freedoms of the people of Jammu and Kashmir". It further demands that "India honours its own commitment to the UN Security Council, Kashmiris and the international community". The resolution calls upon the UN Security Council to take cognisance of the matter and the UN Human Rights Council to constitute a Commission of Inquiry. It also calls upon Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to "convene an extraordinary high level session immediately" and "work with the UN for an end to repression in IOK". Furthermore, it urges the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and world parliaments to "censure the Indian Parliament’s role in violating UNSC resolutions and facilitation of unlawful actions in IOK". Lastly, it calls upon the international community "to warn India to refrain from undertaking any irresponsible, unilateral actions that may lead to a dangerous escalation that will have far reaching impact not only for South Asia but the entire world".
Please click to see the original signed resolution http://www.na.gov.pk/uploads/documents/questions/1565190205_273.pdf
National Security Committee Meeting of Pakistan meeting under chairmanship of Prime Minister on 7 August
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan today chaired meeting of the National Security Committee at Prime Minister’s Office. The meeting was attended by Foreign Minister, Defence Minister, Interior Minister, Minister for Education, Minister for Human Rights, Minister for KA&GB, Law Minister, Adviser Finance, CJCSC, COAS, CAS, CNS, SAPM on Information, DG-ISI, DG-ISPR, Secretary Foreign Affairs and other senior officers. The Committee discussed situation arising out of unilateral and illegal actions by the Indian government, situation inside Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and along LOC. The Committee decided to take following actions:-
1. Downgrading of diplomatic relations with India.
2. Suspension of bilateral trade with India.
3. Review of bilateral arrangements.
4. Matter to be taken to the United Nations, including the Security Council.
5. Independence Day this 14 August to be observed in solidarity with brave Kashmiris and their just struggle for their right of self-determination. 15th August will be observed as Black Day.
PM directed that all diplomatic channels be activated to expose brutal Indian racist regime, design and human rights violations. PM directed Armed Forces to continue vigilance.
Emergency Meeting of OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir
An emergency meeting of OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir was held on 6th August 2019 in the wake of illegal actions by India to alter the internationally recognized disputed status of Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOK). The meeting was chaired by Amb. Samir Bakr Diab, Assistant Secretary General, who represented the OIC Secretary General, and attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi.
Ambassador Sami Bakr Diab read the statement of the OIC Secretary General expressing “deep concern over the recent developments in IoK including the escalation of violence by the Indian forces and the measures taken by the Indian authorities that might affect the status of the territory and the rights of the Kashmiri people”. He reaffirmed the OIC’s full support to the people of Jammu and Kashmir in their just struggle to achieve their legitimate rights, in particular the right to self-determination.
Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi, who led the Pakistan delegation, apprised the participants of the mala-fide Indian attempt to strengthen its illegitimate occupation of IOK. He stated that Indian steps which interfere with the demography of IOK and the disputed status of Jammu & Kashmir are a grave, destabilizing threat to the already volatile situation in South Asia and would have serious implications. The Foreign Minister reiterated that no unilateral actions by India could change the disputed nature of Jammu & Kashmir. He reiterated that Pakistan will continue to extend political, diplomatic and moral support to the indigenous struggle of the Kashmiri people for realization of their inalienable right to self-determination.
Other members of the Contact Group also made statements condemning the illegal Indian actions and expressing deep concern over the developments while reiterating their continued support for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. They called for a peaceful resolution of the dispute in accordance with the United Nations Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
The Contact Group condemned India’s recent illegal and unilateral steps, aimed at undermining the demographics and the disputed nature of the Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir in contravention of the relevant UN resolutions, which seriously imperil regional peace and security. The Contact Group reaffirmed that Jammu and Kashmir is an internationally recognized dispute, pending on the agenda of the United Nations Security Council. The Contact Group expressed their support to the efforts of the Pakistan government for the resolution of the dispute and declared solidarity with the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting emphasized that durable peace in South Asia rests with a just and final settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in line with the UN Security Council Resolutions.
The Contact Group urged India again to allow access to the OIC Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) and other international rights bodies on the Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir in order to independently verify the gross and blatant human rights violations. IPHRC representatives briefed the participants about the worsening human rights situation in IoK and called upon the Government of India to implement the recommendations of the Reports of the OIC IPHRC and OHCHR on the Human Rights situation in IoK which calls for establishing a Commission for inquiry under the UN auspices to investigate the human rights violations in Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
The Contact Group on Jammu & Kashmir was formed in 1994 to coordinate policy of the OIC on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. Azerbaijan, Niger, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey are its members. The deliberations of the Contact Group reflect the support of the OIC on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
Islamabad , 6 August 2019
Pakistan Foreign Minister’s letter to the United Nations on the situation in IOK
Placed below is text of the letter addressed by the Foreign Minister to the United Nations Secretary General, Presidents of the United Nations Security Council and United Nations General Assembly on 1 August 2019:
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“Excellency,
I wish to bring to your attention three inter-locking developments relating to Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IoK) that entail grave dangers to regional peace and security in South Asia.
First, the growing scale and seriousness of the human rights situation in IoK. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has testified to the gravity of human rights abuses in its second report released last month. This latest report documents, extensively and independently, the full range of atrocities- killing of civilians including in custody, blinding of young Kashmiris including children through the use of pellet guns and the use of rape, torture and enforced disappearances as tools of state suppression.
These gross and systematic violations of human rights are being enabled by India through the continued application of its draconian laws in IoK and abetted by a culture of impunity rampant among security forces. The United Nations has a responsibility to speak out against these violations, documented by an independent entity such as OHCHR and occurring in a territory recognized by the UN Security Council as disputed.
Second, the pace of Indian firing and shelling across the Line of Control (LoC) is picking up again. Not only these Indian actions violate the Ceasefire Understanding of 2003 between Pakistan and India, they are causing civilian casualties and leading to heavy damages to civilian infrastructure. Left unaddressed, these unprovoked steps have the potential to escalate the situation in the area, with grave implications for peace and security.
Cross-LoC violations have been accompanied by recent India media reports highlighting leaked communications from the Indian Home Ministry about deployment of additional 10,000 or more paramilitary forces in IoK. The Indian occupied Kashmir is already the most militarized zone in the world, with over 700,000 troops deployed for several decades.
Reports of additional forces are corroborated by developments on the ground, including landing of special flights carrying these forces at Srinagar airport and additional companies reaching the Indian Occupied Kashmir Valley by road. So far, no senior Indian government official has publically denied these media reports or to calm down the situation, lending further credence to these reports.
Reports about Indian railways authority’s decision to purchase and store rations for at least a week’s consumption to meet any crisis situation indicate that security situation in IOK is likely to deteriorate further. There is, therefore, a pervasive sense of fear and anxiety among the Kashmiris in IoK, which continues to grow in the wake of these developments.
Three, the aforementioned developments tend to validate widespread concerns that India is preparing ground to abolish Article 35-A of its Constitution as a first step, followed by the revocation of Article 370. Article 35-A defines the residents of IoK and limits subjects like property ownership and state citizenship to the current residents of the area.
Pakistan has consistently opposed any steps that seek to alter the demographic structure of IoK since they can materially affect the plebiscite arrangements to be held under the UN auspices. These Indian moves are also a clear breach of the UN Security Council Resolutions on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, particularly with regard to realization of the right to self-determination of the Kashmiris. This is an old Indian ploy to which we had drawn your attention through Pakistan’s earlier letter dated 27 April 2017.
Excellency,
Notwithstanding such Indian moves, the relevant UN Security Council resolutions provide that “the final disposition of the State of Jammu & Kashmir will be made in accordance with the will of the people expressed through the democratic method of a free and impartial plebiscite conducted under the auspices of the United Nations.”
In light of the developments mentioned above, I wish to draw your attention to United Nations Security Council Resolution 38, which calls upon Pakistan and India, ‘to inform the Council immediately of any material change in the situation which occurs or appears to either of them to be about to occur while the matter is under consideration by the Council, and consult with the Council thereon’.
Pakistan is of the view that the steps being taken by India, as outlined above, have the real potential to further lead to the deteriorating human rights situation in IoK as well as carry serious implications for peace and security in South Asia.
I, therefore, urge you and the United Nations to immediately take note of the serious situation and in this regard a) urge India to stall state oppression and stop human rights abuses; b) refrain from unprovoked firing across LoC; and c) halt any actions that could bring about a material change in the situation on ground, in violation of Security Council resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir.
I take this opportunity to reiterate Pakistan’s call to establish a UN Fact-Finding Mission to visit IOK to assess the on-ground situation. Pakistan also supports the OHCHR’s recommendation for establishment of a Commission of Inquiry to investigate into the gross human rights violations. Commensurate with the gravity of evolving situation in IoK and to prevent its potential ramifications for the region, I would once again urge you to appoint a UN Special Representative on Jammu and Kashmir.
Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.”
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Islamabad , 5 August 2019
Pakistan’s strong demarche to India on its illegal actions with regard to Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IOJ&K)
The Foreign Secretary summoned the Indian High Commissioner to the Foreign Office and conveyed a strong demarche on the announcements made and actions taken by the Government of India with regard to Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir today.
The Foreign Secretary conveyed Pakistan’s unequivocal rejection of these illegal actions as they are in breach of international law and several UN Security Council resolutions. Pakistan’s resolute condemnation of the unlawful actions aimed at further consolidating the illegal occupation of Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOK) was underscored.
The Foreign Secretary also condemned the preceding pre-meditated steps such as complete lock-down of IOK, deployment of additional 180,000 troops, imposition of curfew, house arrest of Kashmiri leaders and suspension of communication services, among others.
Pakistan’s consistent opposition to all Indian attempts to change the demographic structure and final status of IOK was emphasized.
The Foreign Secretary called upon India to halt and reverse its unlawful and destabilizing actions, ensure full compliance with UN Security Council resolutions, and refrain from any further action that could entail serious implications.
The Foreign Secretary reiterated that Pakistan will continue to extend political, diplomatic and moral support to the indigenous legitimate Kashmiri people’s struggle for realization of their inalienable right to self-determination.
Islamabad, 5 August 2019
Response to Indian Announcements on Occupied Jammu & Kashmir
Pakistan strongly condemns and rejects the announcements made today by the Indian Government regarding the Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir.
The Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir is an internationally recognized disputed territory.
No unilateral step by the Government of India can change this disputed status, as enshrined in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions. Nor will this ever be acceptable to the people of Jammu & Kashmir and Pakistan.
As the party to this international dispute, Pakistan will exercise all possible options to counter the illegal steps.
Pakistan reaffirms its abiding commitment to the Kashmir cause and its political, diplomatic and moral support to the people of Occupied Jammu and Kashmir for realization of their inalienable right to self-determination.
Islamabad, 5 August 2019