UK parliamentary body recognises 'Indian atrocities' in occupied Kashmir

Published November 5, 2018
A file photo of a clash in occupied Kashmir.
A file photo of a clash in occupied Kashmir.

A report compiled by a UK parliamentary body has recognised "the massive human rights violations and atrocities" committed by Indian forces in occupied Kashmir", DawnNewsTV reported on Monday.

The comprehensive report, prepared by the UK Parliament's All-Party Parliamentary Kashmir Group (APPKG), has highlighted "the draconian laws", including the Armed Forces Special Powers Act and Public Safety Act, "under the garb of which Indian occupation forces are committing human rights abuses in IoK with impunity".

On October 31, after the APPKG had released its report, Foreign Office spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal had termed the report's observations as an "indictment" of India's "gross human rights violations in the valley".

Radio Pakistan quoted Dr Faisal as saying that the APPKG report echoes the findings of the UN's OHCHR Report published on June 14.

The APPKG report "calls for an immediate ban on the use of pellet guns against innocent unarmed civilians" in the valley by the Indian army.

Furthermore, the report "condemns the illegal detentions, enforced disappearances" in occupied Kashmir, and calls for the "prosecution of Indian armed forces".

The APPKG, chaired by MP Chris Leslie, demands in the report that a "comprehensive public investigation into the identities of the bodies in mass and unmarked graves" should be made.

The parliamentary body observed that its findings, which come "on the heels of the UN's OHCHR Report on Jammu and Kashmir", are a "damning indictment against India's human rights atrocities in IoK and stark proof of increasing international focus on the nature of this dispute".

Opinion

Editorial

Not without reform
Updated 22 Apr, 2024

Not without reform

The problem with us is that our ruling elite is still trying to find a way around the tough reforms that will hit their privileges.
Raisi’s visit
22 Apr, 2024

Raisi’s visit

IRANIAN President Ebrahim Raisi, who begins his three-day trip to Pakistan today, will be visiting the country ...
Janus-faced
22 Apr, 2024

Janus-faced

THE US has done it again. While officially insisting it is committed to a peaceful resolution to the...
Elections in India
Updated 21 Apr, 2024

Elections in India

Independent accounts and spot reports are at variance with Modi-friendly TV anchors and they do not see an easy victory for the Indian premier.
IHC letter
21 Apr, 2024

IHC letter

THIS is a historic opportunity for the judiciary to define its institutional boundaries. It must not be squandered....
Olympic preparations
21 Apr, 2024

Olympic preparations

THIS past week marked the beginning of the 100-day countdown to the Paris Olympics, with the symbolic torch-lighting...