ISLAMABAD, January 20: The India Study Centre (ISC) at the Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad (ISSI) held a roundtable on “Rising State Repression in IIOJK” in collaboration with the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Cell, Government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir on January 20, 2022. Welcoming the guests, Director ISC Dr. Saif Malik said that ISC is Pakistan’s first ever India focused centre that specifically looks into the issue of Jammu and Kashmir. He said that August 5, 2019 brought many changes for the people of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ&K) and has made the lives of people more miserable. In fact, August 5 is Kashmir’s 9/11. Referring to the unabated human rights abuses, he wondered how the world that calls itself “civilised” can be sensitised about the situation in IIOJ&K.
Mr. IrshadMahmood, Director General Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Cell was of the view that the human rights conditions in IIOJK are gradually attracting significant international attention. Referring to the report by an international law firm Stoke White and other reports by human rights groups, Mr. Irshad said that Amit Shah and AjeetDoval are key architects of present Kashmir policy that completely rely on excessive use of power and repression to achieve political goals. He also highlighted the fact that by arresting noted Kashmiri journalists and human rights activists, India is clearly signalling that there is no space for any sort of activism.
Senator ZarqaSuharwardi said that the international community is very much aware of the situation in IIOJK but that is not enough. She said that under draconian laws that India has imposed in IIOJ&K, young boys are picked up from their homes and taken to far flung areas without informing their parents and family members. The same is being done with the bodies of shaheeds which are forcefully taken away from families.
Mr. AlafHussainWani, Chairman, Kashmir Institute of International Relations suggested that there is much literature available on the human rights violations in IIOJ&K which needs to be disseminated. In this regard, there is a great deal of responsibility on the government of Pakistan as well as the Government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. PR
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