SRINAGAR: A motley group of writers, rights activists, journalists, lawyers and others, have called upon the government to grant an "unfettered" access to the United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHRC) to investigate allegations of Human Rights violations while seeking an end to repression in Kashmir.
In a number of demands, they asked the government to immediately lift the curfew and stop violence against civilians in Kashmir.
"Open channels for political dialogue in consultation with all stakeholders and explore every possible solution including–complete autonomy or pre-1953 position and even plebiscite.
"Immediately drop all charges against activists, human rights defenders and civilians booked under the PSA and release them.
"Grant unfettered access to United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHRC) to investigate allegations of Human Rights violations.
"Work forcefully to demilitarize both sides of the Line of Control between India and Pakistan. Further, to demilitarize all of Kashmir and immediately revoke impunity laws such as the AFSPA, PSA, and DAA etc.
"Create credible mechanisms for accountability and justice, (such as an international criminal tribunal), for human rights abuses in Kashmir over the past three decades, including extra-judicial killings, torture, sexual and gendered violence, enforced disappearances and unknown and mass graves."
The members said that they were dismayed over the ongoing crisis in Kashmir.
"We have watched in horror and shock the repetitive cycle of state aggression leading to violence, deteriorating state of civil liberties, violation of fundamental rights and ever escalating loss of human life and dignity in Kashmir. In the last 114 days, we have lost over 100 lives in Kashmir.More than 15,000 civilians have been injured, out of which 4500 persons have suffered grievous injuries due to pellet-guns, 4664have been injured by bullets.Over 8000 people have been arrested out of which 434 people have been detained under the Public Safety Act (toll as on October 30, 2016)," they said.
They also censured the government for imposition of curfew and gag on newspapers.
"Stop the crackdown on media and lift the ban on Kashmir Reader," they demanded. It said that there are reports of vandalism and violence during raids
by the police and security forces.
"As the pillars of a modern democracy are wrecked with the media gag, the abuse of the impunity accorded to the law enforcement agencies is bound to escalate. There have been instances of harassment, abuse and baseless arrests of Kashmiris working and studying, not only in Kashmir but also in different parts of India, for having voiced their political views."
Intense militarization of the valley has left deep scars on the social, economic and psychological well being of every life in Kashmir.
"Laws such as Public Safety Act (PSA), Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), Disturbed Areas Act (DAA) etc., are draconian and are not conducive to contributing to a solution. Irrespective of what the situation is, whether we agree with what the Kashmiris are demanding or not, there is no law in India which allows the Indian armed forces to use their position to ransack people’s houses, decimate their food grains, crops and livestock."
Impressing upon the government to understand that Kashmiris were the principal party to the settlement of the dispute, they said: "Whatever the stand of the Government of India on the demand of Kashmiri people for independence, it is imperative to create an environment of understanding and openness and initiate a purposeful and sincere dialogue with all the stakeholders for an amicable settlement."
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