ISNA EXPRESSES ITS DEEP CONCERN OVER THE EXACERBATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN THE INDIAN OCCUPIED KASHMIR

The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) expresses its deep concern over the exacerbation of human rights violations in the Indian Occupied Kashmir.  Numerous human rights organizations, including the New Delhi based People’s Union for Democratic Rights (PUDR), have confirmed numerous episodes of violence, property damage, incursions against the press and arbitrary and capricious arrests.  Numerous instances across the state included firing on peaceful protesters, patients and medical staff in hospitals, attacks on funeral processions, and a deliberate economic blockade of essential commodities including infant foods and life saving drugs. 

Conversely, in the Muslim inhabited areas of the Jammu region, armed Hindu extremist groups have let loose a reign of terror without any restraint from the security forces.  They have killed innocent civilians and destroyed millions of dollars worth of Muslim property.  The press has been attacked and prevented from performing their duties.  Newspapers have neither been printed nor distributed in the Kashmir Valley for the past eight  days due to continuous curfew and press blockade.
 
ISNA regrets the targeted attacks against peaceful demonstrations in Kashmir, along with the economic blockade enforced by extremist Hindu groups against the Kashmir Valley.  ISNA condemns the use of brute and disproportionate force resulting in the death of scores of people and injuries to hundreds of others. 
 
ISNA notes with satisfaction the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCR) statement that calls upon Indian authorities in Occupied Kashmir to respect the freedom of assembly and expression, and comply with international human rights principles in dealing with the demonstrators.  ISNA further expresses its continued appreciation for the U.S. State Department’s call for restraint and resolution of the issues through peaceful means.  ISNA urges the Indian government to:

• Immediately cease all  human rights violations in Kashmir;
• Allow human rights and humanitarian organizations into Kashmir;
• Remove the economic blockade and facilitate the immediate import of essential commodities and medications to the Kashmir Valley;
• Immediately release all political prisoners, including the leaders of the Coordination Committee and All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC);
• Secure the media’s position and provide them unfettered access to all disturbed areas in the commission of their duties;
• Allow the people to peacefully assemble and express their grievances;
• Initiate a serious and a time-bound dialogue with Pakistan and the acknowledged representatives of the people of Kashmir for a full and final settlement of the Kashmir dispute.