Hurriyat (M) convener addresses UNHRC, flags Kashmir rights violations issue

Srinagar, Sept 20: Convenor of “Azad Kashmir Chapter” of All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) Syed Faiz Naqshbandi has apprised the international community about grim situation of human rights in Kashmir while addressing the 36th session of United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), a statement issued here said today.
Naqshbandi, as per the statement, said that the Jammu and Kashmir is United Nations recognized disputed territory for which United Nations had passed various resolutions giving the people of Jammu and Kashmir, their birth right to self-determination. In addition, India agreed upon these UN resolutions, thus making these as international agreements of binding force.
“India occupied Jammu and Kashmir by sheer use of force which it continues up till now with wide spread human right violations,” he alleged.
He alleged under the garb of Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) Indian forces are committing massive human right abuses.
“Youth are being systematically killed in fake encounters. Freedom of expression stands completely snatched. Peaceful protests are attacked by indiscriminate bullet and pellet firing. Internet and social media applications are blocked frequently so that world may not know the violations by forces. India is pursuing its policy to change the demography of Kashmir to defeat the purpose of UN resolutions,” said Naqshbandi, according to the statement.
He said that APHC Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, senior Hurriyat leaders Syed Ali Geelani, Muhammad Yasin Malik and others were in continued detention.
“A number of resistance leaders including the close aides of the above leaders are being victimized, harassed and involved in fabricated cases by New Delhi based NIA. While urging the Council to play a role in ending the human rights violations, he called for sending a UN fact-finding mission to Kashmir.”
Naqshbandi also held a meeting with Jorge Arreaza Minister of Foreign Affairs of Venezuela during 36th session of United Nations Human Rights Council at Geneva and apprised him about “atrocities being committed on people of Kashmir and Indian campaign to malign APHC leadership by involving them in false and fabricated cases.”
He also apprised UN Independent expert Alfred-Maurice de Zayas about the denial of right to Self Determination by India which has resulted in “massive and systematic human rights violations by Indian forces.”