As India continues its unprecedented lockdown in Kashmir, the United Nation’s top rights official has voiced deep concern over the human rights violations since New Delhi ‘s annexation of the disputed territory.
“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,” Michelle Bachelet, a former Chilean president, who heads the UN Human Rights Council, said.
She was making an opening statement at the 42nd session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva.
Picture taken by Views and News of a poster exhibition on Kashmir at Pakistan Embassy in Washington D.C.
Speaking to the 47-member Council on the situation of human rights worldwide Bachelet said her office continues to receive reports on the human rights situation, on both sides of the Line of Control in the disputed Kashmir region.
“While I continue to urge the governments of India and Pakistan to ensure that human rights are respected and protected, 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,” she said.
In remarks that appeared to back Pakistan’s position, The UN rights leader also called for consulting people of Kashmir, in any decision-making processes, having impact on their future.
Commenting to the citizenship list in India’s northeastern state of Assam, bordering Bangladesh, Bachelet said it has caused an uncertainty and anxiety to some 1.9 million people, mostly Muslims, excluded from the list published on Aug. 31.
“I appeal to the [Indian] Government to ensure due process during the appeals process, prevent deportation or detention, and ensure people are protected from statelessness,” she added.
