APDP protests against GoI’s refusal to allow discussion on HR situation

Srinagar—The Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP) on Thursday protested at Srinagar against the Government of India’s ‘unremitting refusal to allow any discussion on the reality of situation of Human Rights in Jammu and Kashmir’.

Scores of APDP members assembled at Srinagar’s Pres Enclave and held a silent protest.

APDP spokesperson, Tahira Begum expressed serious concern over the Government of India’s unremitting refusal to allow for any discussion on the reality of situation of Human Rights in Jammu and Kashmir. “A part of this refusal often masked by rhetoric and generalizations is the absence of any acknowledgement that enforced disappearances are widespread and a serious phenomenon in Jammu and Kashmir,” she said.

She added that there is no trace about the fate of more than 8000 disappeared persons and their families suffer endlessly. “The government seems to deliberately defer any investigation into the cases of enforces disappearances and hold the perpetrators accountable. The government is also increasingly disinclined to apply international law or allow any international scrutiny or accountability concerning existing situation of human rights including enforced disappearances in Jammu and Kashmir,” she added.

“Amid rhetorical claims for respect to human rights before the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in May 2017 of UN Human Rights Council and during the recent UN General Assembly sessions, the government of India has continuously been averse to grant access to the International human rights bodies including OHCHR, UNMOGIP and UN special Procedures,” APDP spokesperson said.

She also said that on the one hand, India is aspirating to be the permanent member of the UN Security Council, while as on the other hand, India is reluctant to ratify the international convection for the protection of all persons from enforced disappearances and the convention against torture. “During the cycle of UNHRC’s UPR India has not offered any positive response regarding the ratification of these conventions despite recommendations from various member countries. Having signed the convention against the enforced disappearances in 2007, the government has delayed its ratification,” she said.

APDP spokesperson also said that the Sri Lanka has more than 60,000 cases of enforced disappearances during the Tamil conflict and yet in 2016, Sri Lanka became the first South Asian country to ratify the convention against the enforced disappearances. “If Sri Lanka can take a progressive and pro-active approach to ratify the convention, Why can’t India,” she questioned.