Monitoring Desk
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet has expressed serious concerns over the prevailing human rights situation in Indian Occupied Kashmir.
. “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,” she said while speaking at the 42nd session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva on Monday.
Michelle Bachelet appealed to India to ease the current lockdowns or curfews, ensure people’s access to basic services and that all due process rights are respected for those who have been detained.
She stressed it is important the people of Kashmir are consulted and engaged in any decision-making processes that have an impact on their future.
I especially welcome the statement by the UNHCHR in Geneva today. I call upon the UN Human Rights Council to immediately set up the indep Investigation commission to probe human rights abuses in IOJK as recommended by the UNHCHR's two reports on Kashmir. The time to act is now. pic.twitter.com/Xy8hfkDwe2
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) September 9, 2019
On the National Register of Citizens verification process in the Northeast Indian State of Assam, she said it has caused great uncertainty and anxiety with some 1.9 million people excluded from the final list published on 31 August. She asked the Indian Government to ensure due process during the appeals process, prevent deportation or detention, and ensure people are protected from statelessness.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, Shah Mahmood Qureshi has reached Switzerland to highlight human rights situation in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir at session of UN Human Rights Council
Talking to media in Geneva, Shah Mahmood Qureshi termed the statement of High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Occupied Kashmir as encouraging.
Foreign Minister said he will use his stay in Geneva to apprise the international community of the critical situation in Occupied Kashmir.
He will also address the session and present the case of Kashmiris before the delegates attending the forum from across the world.
Pakistan will speak definitively at the UNHRC Session in Geneva on the continued Indian atrocities in #Kashmir. As High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet said: The People of Kashmir must be consulted and engaged in any decision-making processes. #LetKashmirSpeak
— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) September 9, 2019
Shah Mahmood Qureshi will raise the Indian unilateral and illegal actions in occupied Kashmir and will highlight threat posed to the region as a result of these actions, according to Radio Pakistan.
The Foreign Minister will also hold meetings with officials of OIC and WHO in Geneva.
He will interact with local and international media resprestatives in Geneva and present Pakistan’s stance and point of view on various regional and international issues.
