Srinagar: Welcoming the OHCHR report on human rights violations in Kashmir, Chairman Hurriyat Conference (M) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has said that the report is the first ever by a UN body on Kashmir. “Although much delayed, it has recognized the grave human rights violations by the state especially during the last thirty years taking place in Kashmir.”
Mirwaiz said the exhaustive and detailed report by the world body reflects the ground situation of Kashmir and details how the people here are denied all freedoms and justice and as a consequence suffer tremendously .
Mirwaiz said the demand for a Commission of Inquiry into these violations was not only the need of the hour but long overdue as UN and the world body owes it to the subjugated people of Kashmir. UN has a moral obligation to the people of J&K as the promises made to us by it have so far not been fulfilled, he said.
Appreciating the efforts and bold leadership of the present UN High Commissioner for human rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussain, Mirwaiz said the office of OHCHR inspite of complete non-cooperation from the Indian government by not allowing any fact finding team to visit Kashmir was able to prepare this report.
Mirwaiz on behalf of the people of Kashmir thanked the UN body especially the High Commissioner for his earnest attempt in bringing the situation of human rights violations in Kashmir by the state in the global public domain besides asking for immediate end to the grave human right violations taking place here and for a meaningful resolution of the Kashmir dispute which is inclusive of the people of Kashmir.
While expressing his dismay over the reaction of Ministry of External Affairs of India which has described the report as prejudiced and rejected it, Mirwaiz said it is highly unfortunate that GOI instead of taking the report of the world body seriously and making amends in its repressive policy in Kashmir has chosen to attack the report.
