5 August 2019 to 5 August 2020
What the world says:
UN High Commissioner on Human Rights Office
6 August 2019:
- “The Indian Government’s decision to revoke part of the Constitution relating to the special status of Indian-administered Kashmir risks worsening democratic freedoms there”“We are seeing again blanket telecommunications restrictions – perhaps more blanket than we’ve ever seen before – the reported arbitrary detention of political leaders and restrictions on peaceful assembly”.
- “These restrictions will prevent the people of Indian-Administered Kashmir and their elected representatives from participating fully in democratic debate about the future status of Jammu and Kashmir.”
- “India and Pakistan fought several conflicts over the disputed region and the UN has been mandated since 1949, to monitor the ceasefire between the two countries”.
UN Human Rights Commissioner’s Spokesperson Rupert Colville, 6 August 2020
OIC Contact Group on Jammu Kashmir Emergency Meeting:
6 August 2019:
The Secretary General:
- Expressed “deep concern over the recent developments in IoK including the escalation of violence by the Indian forces and the measures taken by the Indian authorities that might affect the status of the territory and the rights of the Kashmiri people”.
- Reaffirmed the OIC’s full support to the people of Jammu and Kashmir in their just struggle to achieve their legitimate rights, in particular the right to self-determination.
OIC Secretary General Statement at the Emergency Meeting of OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir: 6th August 2019
UN Secretary General:
8 August 2019:
A statement attributable to the Spokesman, UN Secretary General:
- “The position of the United Nations on this region is governed by the Charter of the United Nations and applicable Security Council resolutions. The Secretary-General also recalls the 1972 Agreement on bilateral relations between India and Pakistan, also known as the Simla Agreement, which states that the final status of Jammu and Kashmir is to be settled by peaceful means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations”.
- Secretary-General called on all parties to “refrain from taking steps that could affect the status of Jammu and Kashmir”.
Statement attributable to the Spokesman for the UN Secretary General on the situation in Jammu Kashmir: 8 August 2019.
United Nations Security Council Meeting
16 August 2019:
On August 16 2019 United Nations Security Council, after a gap of some five decades, discussed Kashmir.
“The people of Jammu and Kashmir may be locked up, their voices may not be heard in their own homes and their own land, but their voices were heard today at the United Nations and their voices will always be heard because Pakistan will always stand by them”
Pakistan Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Dr. Maleeha Lodhi: 15 August 2020
Human Rights Watch Statement
19 August 2019:
- “The Indian government can’t just claim to be lifting restrictions in Kashmir, but needs to ensure that everyone’s rights are respected”.
- “Instead of denying human rights violations, Indian authorities should draw lessons from past mistakes, ensure accountability, and act to prevent further abuses”.
- “Concerned governments and the United Nations should press India to implement the High Commissioner’s recommendations and to protect the human rights of all in Kashmir.”
Director South Asia Ms. Meenakshi Ganguly at the HRW; 19 August 2020
UN Experts Statement
22 August 2019:
The UN Experts:
- Quoted reports describing a near total communications blackout in Jammu and Kashmir since the evening of 4 August, with internet access, mobile phone networks, and cable and Kashmiri television channels cut off.
- “The blackout is a form of collective punishment of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, without even a pretext of a precipitating offence.”
- “The experts expressed deep concern over reports that security forces were conducting night raids on private homes leading to the arrests of young people”
- Experts expressed “grave concern” over “allegations that “the whereabouts of some of those detained is not known”, heightening the risk of enforced disappearances, “which may proliferate against the backdrop of mass arrests and restricted access to the internet and other communications networks”.
Statement by United Nations Independent Rights Experts : 22 August 2020
Statement by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
9 September 2019:
- “I am deeply concerned about the impact of recent actions by the Government of India on the human rights of Kashmiris, including restrictions on internet communications and peaceful assembly, and the detention of local political leaders and activists.”
- “It is important that the people of Kashmir are consulted and engaged in any decision-making processes that have an impact on their future.”
Opening Statement by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet: 9 September 2019.
EU Statement at UN Human Rights Council
10 September 2019:
“The EU has been following the recent developments in Jammu and Kashmir closely”.
“We urge both parties to engage in direct dialogue, with a view to a peaceful solution in line with the UN resolutions and the bilateral agreements between India and Pakistan”.
UN-Human Rights Council, EU Statement, Geneva, 10 September 2019
Human Rights Watch Statement
16 September 2019:
- “Indian authorities should immediately release detained Kashmiris who have not been charged with a recognizable offense. Several thousand Kashmiris, including politicians and opposition activists, have been held in preventive detention since August 5, 2019”.
- “India is making a mockery of its human rights commitments by denying Kashmiris a voice in their future, jailing political leaders, and suspending basic freedoms”.
Human Rights Watch Statement; 16 September 2019
EU High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini:
18 September 2019:
- “The tensions in the region have increased following the announcement by the Indian Government on 5 August of the revocation of Article 370. This step has been accompanied by restrictions of fundamental rights and freedoms”.
- “While some of the restrictions are reportedly lifted, the situation has not returned to normalcy. There have been arrests of political leaders, activists and human rights defenders”.
- “In a moment of rising tensions in different regions around the world, no one could afford another escalation in Kashmir”.
Speech on behalf of EU High Representative / Vice-President Ms. Federica Mogherini at the European Parliament Plenary debate on situation in Kashmir: 18 September 2019.
OIC calls on the international community to expedite assistance to the people of Jammu and Kashmir
September 25, 2019:
- “Lasting and durable peace in South Asia rests with just and final settlement of the dispute, in line with UN Resolutions, and that dialogue is the only way forward”.
- OIC Secretary General emphasized that the issue of Jammu and Kashmir is among the most important agenda items for the Organization.
OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir Meeting on the sidelines of 74th UNGA Session : 25 September 2019.
UN High Commissioner on Human Rights demands India to ‘unlock’ freedom curbs in disputed Kashmir
29 October 2019:
- “Hundreds of political and civil society leaders, including three former Chief Ministers of Jammu and Kashmir, have been detained on a preventative basis. While some political workers have reportedly been released, most senior leaders – especially those from the Kashmir Valley – remain in detention”.
- “We have also received a number of allegations of torture and ill-treatment of people held in detention. These must be independently and impartially investigated. Torture is totally and unequivocally prohibited under international law”.
Press briefing : Spokesperson for UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: 29 October 2019
UNSC Consultations on Jammu Kashmir
15 January 2020:
On 15 January 2020, UNSC held an in depth briefing on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. All Council members participated including the P5 countries.
- UN and UNMOGIP representatives briefed the Council members.
UN Secretary General’s Statement on Kashmir:
18 February 2020:
- “Diplomacy and dialogue remain the only tools that guarantee peace and stability, with solutions in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and the resolutions of the Security Council”.
During UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres’s visit to Pakistan: 16-19 2020 February.
Statement by UN High Commissioner on Human Rights:
27 February 2020:
- “Schools, businesses and livelihoods have been disrupted by the continued heavy military presence, and no steps have been taken to address allegations of excessive use of force and other serious human rights violations by security forces.
- The Indian government has partially restored mobile and internet services, after an important decision by the Indian Supreme Court, but authorities continue to impose excessive restrictions on the use of social media”.
UN High Commissioner Michele Bachelet’s updates to UN Human Rights Council on ‘Human Rights Concerns, and Progress, Across the world; 43rd Session of the Human Rights Council; 17 February 2020
OIC Secretary General’s Special Envoy on Jammu Kashmir:
2-6 March 2020:
- Said that Jammu and Kashmir is an internationally recognized dispute which calls for its peaceful settlement in accordance with the relevant UN and OIC resolutions.
- OIC will take all necessary steps to alleviate the sufferings of the Kashmiris and help resolve the dispute according to the wishes of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
OIC Secretary General’s Special Envoy on Jammu Kashmir Yousef M. Al Dobeay, during his visit to Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir: 2-6 March 2020
OIC Contact Group on Jammu Kashmir at the Ministerial Level
(22 June 2020):
- OIC Secretary General Dr. Yousef A. Al-Othaimeen, at that OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir Virtual meeting on 22 June 2020 called upon the international community to strengthen its efforts to assist the people of Kashmir to decisively practice their legitimate rights denied for decades,”.
- The Contact Group called upon India to respect basic human rights, refrain from changing the demographic structure of the disputed territory, and settle the conflict under the relevant UNSC’s resolutions.
Proceedings of the OIC Contact Group non Jammu Kashmir Virtual Meeting: 22 June 2020
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