On the occasion of Human Rights Day, a briefing was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, today, on the human rights situation in Indian occupied Jammu & Kashmir for members of the Diplomatic Corps based in Islamabad.
During the briefing, an independent media documentary highlighting the severe impact of the lockdown and media blackout in Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IoJ&K) and continuing atrocities against the Kashmiris was screened. The Director General (SA)/Spokesperson, Dr. Mohammad Faisal made a detailed presentation on human rights violations being committed by Indian occupation forces since India’s illegal and unilateral actions of 5 August 2019.
During his briefing, Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood dilated upon the overall situation in IoJ&K in its multiple dimensions -- including the dire humanitarian and human rights situation, the legal aspects of the Jammu & Kashmir dispute, and the implications of India’s actions for peace and security in the region. The Foreign Secretary rejected the Indian contentions that Kashmir was an “internal matter”; that the recent measures taken by India in Occupied Jammu & Kashmir were aimed at “development” of the Kashmiri people; and that the situation in IoJ&K was “completely normal.” These Indian contentions, he underlined, defied both logic as well as the ground realities.
The Foreign Secretary appreciated the spotlight put on the situation in IoJ&K by the international media; the continuous focus of UN human rights machinery and international civil society organizations on the unacceptable conditions in IoJ&K; the concerns expressed by world leaders; and the cognizance taken by the Parliaments in major countries. Besides the irresponsible rhetoric emanating from senior Indian leadership, he also highlighted the belligerent actions on the ground being taken by the Indian side.
The Foreign Secretary underlined the importance of the international community taking steps to alleviate the sufferings of the Kashmiri people and to facilitate peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.
