UN denies Indian allegations on human rights report on Kashmir: FO

UN denies Indian allegations on human rights report on Kashmir: FO

Islamabad (Staff Report): The United Nations had denied Indian allegations on a report on the grave human rights situation in Indian occupied Kashmir (IoK), the Foreign Office (FO) said on Wednesday.

“UN denies Indian allegations on Kashmir report. Deeply disappointed by India dismissing the report without examining it,” FO Spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal said in a tweet.

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“India failed to address the very serious concerns raised by Kashmir about the grave human rights situation in IOK,” he added.

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The foreign office further said that Pakistan has welcomed a visit by the Commission of Inquiry (COI) both to Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and IoK as recommended by the report.

On June 14, the UN’s body released first-ever report on the human rights situation in Indian-Administered and Pakistan-Administered Kashmir.

The report said that Indian security forces have used excessive force in Kashmir and killed and wounded numerous civilians since 2016. It also called for an international inquiry into alleged violations in the disputed territory.

“There is an urgent need to address past and ongoing human rights violations and abuses and deliver justice for all people in Kashmir, who for seven decades have suffered a conflict that has claimed or ruined numerous lives,” says the report by the UN Human Rights Office.

The 49-page report details human rights violations and abuses on both sides of the Line of Control, and highlights a situation of chronic impunity for violations committed by security forces.