India on Thursday rejected a report from the UN that called for an international investigation into the alleged incidents of human rights abuse by Indian forces in Kashmir.
A statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the first-ever UN report on human rights situation was “fallacious.”
“It is a selective compilation of largely unverified information. It is overtly prejudiced and seeks to build a false narrative. The report violates India’s sovereignty and integrity... it is disturbing that those behind this report have chosen to describe internationally designated and UN-proscribed terrorist entities as ‘armed groups’ and terrorists as ‘leaders.’ This undermines the UN-led consensus on zero tolerance to terrorism,” the MEA said in a response to the report, which covers both the State of Jammu and Kashmir and the part of the State under Pakistani control.
Escalating violence
The 49-page report focused on the human rights situation in the State between January 2016 and April 2018 during which violence escalated. In view of the spiralling terrorism and counter-terror operations, the report urged India to ratify the International Convention for the Protection of all Persons from Enforced Disappearance, and the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and its Optional Protocol.
The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights said the report was drafted through remote-monitoring as neither Pakistan nor India was willing to grant access to the sources on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC). The organisation, however, corroborated information through sources on the ground in Jammu and Kashmir.
For AFSPA repeal
It urged that the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act be repealed. The Act is used widely in counter-terror operations in Kashmir. “It is also why I will be urging the UN Human Rights Council to consider establishing a commission of inquiry to conduct a comprehensive independent, international investigation into allegations of human rights violations in Kashmir,” High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein said, releasing the report. first ever UN human rights report in Kashmir.
The report blamed the Indian security forces for alleged murders and rape and untold human sufferings caused by the political conflict which affected millions of lives in the region.
The MEA said India does not recognise the geographical territories as defined in the report and said: “The incorrect description of Indian territory in the report is mischievous, misleading and unacceptable. There are no entities such as ‘Azad Jammu and Kashmir’ and ‘Gilgit-Baltistan.’
The MEA said the report failed to take into account the global consensus on terrorism. “Terrorism is the most egregious violation of human rights. Yet, the authors have conveniently ignored the pattern of cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan and territories under its illegal control,” it said.
Pak. reaction
In an official statement Pakistsn said: "The United Nations has a key role to play in the resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. Within the ambit of peace and security, the UN Security Council remains seized of numerous resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir.”
