Candlelight vigils, torch light rallies, seminars and protests on Saturday marked the International Human Rights Day in Kashmir, with rights bodies and activists demanding an end to violations.
Meanwhile, the Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP) submitted a fresh list of 132 cases of disappeared persons to the State Human Rights Commission on the day.
No official programme
This year the activism on the eve of International Human Rights Day was more visible than last few years, and apart from Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front chief Yasin Malik, members of the APDP, an Independent MLA and both factions of the separatist Hurriyat Conference organised protests and programmes. However, no official programme was organised to mark the day.
The first protest was led by Independent MLA from Langate S.A. Rashid, who alleged that dogs were more secure and enjoyed more rights in Kashmir than humans. He urged all international and Indian civil society groups to “open their eyes and put pressure on India to stop the human rights violations by its forces in Jammu and Kashmir.”
“How long the people, politicians and civil societies of India will remain mum on the ongoing human rights violation in the Valley?” he said.
