LAHORE: Hoisting Pakistan’s flag at the Lahore Press Club on Friday, activist Mushaal Mullick demanded Pakistan immediately take the case of India-held Kashmir (IHK) to the Human Rights Council of the UN.

She said the whole disputed region has been turned into a “jail and graveyard” where everyone is at risk -- every human right of the Kashmiris is being trampled upon by the security forces and those trying to cross limits face “shoot-to-kill” situation. The biggest concern right now is supply of food and medicines to the valley, which needs to be ensured.

After hoisting the flag, the wife of Kashmiri leader Yasin Malik addressed the media and called journalists sentinels of the Kashmir cause. She said the media has always kept the issue alive; they became voice of the voiceless each time India tried to curb the Kashmiris’ rights.

Avoiding suggesting militancy as a solution to the current crisis when asked, Mushaal said: “Let the world’s conscience be our only weapon to fight it out. The United Nations has taken note of the situation, which is a big leap forward. The Indians are trying to belittle the UN Security Council meeting by relegating it just a closed door consultative meeting. But we, the Kashmiris, are taking heart from the fact that the biggest human forum has taken notice after a hiatus of 54 years. The world is waking up to the crisis because it has pitched two nuclear powers against each other. It is not only threatening for the region, but for world peace also. So, the UN, egged on by Pakistan and China, is realising the magnitude of the crisis and its potential cost to the humanity.”

When asked if she was satisfied with the Pakistan government’s response to the issue, Ms Mullick avoided a direct answer and said that Pakistan is certainly doing what it could, but it should now take the matter to the Human Rights Council of the UN because the unfolding situation in IHK is a human rights disaster.

“The Modi government has declared war on Kashmiris and told the Indians to come forward and pick the war booty of their choice: occupy land of their choice, capture farms of Kashmiris and even Kashmiri women. Those trying to defend their honour and belongings are killed in vengeance with impunity. After the suspension of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, there is no law in IHK. What kind of atrocities does the world needs to see to move? Thankfully, the world is waking up. The miraculous meeting of today at the UN is a proof,” she added.

Talking about the possible help that the people in held Kashmir needed right now, she said supplies of food and medicines were required immediately. The world must find a way before the crisis worsens on these two accounts as well.

Demanding shifting of her husband Yasin Malik, who is incarcerated in Tihar Jail (New Dehli), to a hospital, she said that his health is deteriorating continuously, but the Indians are not bothered about it.

Published in Dawn, August 17th, 2019