Geneva, July 04, 2018 (PPI-OT): Kashmiri representative, Syed Faiz Naqshbandi, has demanded of the UN Human Rights Council to ensure that human rights defenders in Indian occupied Kashmir cooperating with the UN and other human rights mechanisms are protected against all forms of intimidation and reprisals by India.
Syed Faiz Naqshbandi in his statement submitted during the ongoing 38th session of the Human Rights Council said, “We are gravely concerned by the increasing pressure against human rights defenders in occupied Kashmir, for cooperating with the Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights.”
Here is full text of Syed Faiz Naqshbandi’s statement:
Mr. President
My organization would like to appreciate the work of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and his Office, and the human rights mechanisms.
Mr. President
It is sad, that India has not allowed a UN team to occupied Kashmir despite repeated requests from September 2016 made by High Commissioner for Human Rights. Now when the Office of High Commissioner has published report on 14th June 2018, India has not only rejected the report but is opposing the establishment of Commission of Inquiry. Why? I ask the Council. Simply, India does not want the world to know the massive and systematic human right violations by its forces there. This negation will give tremendous rise to massive human right abuses there.
Mr. President
We are gravely concerned by the increasing pressure against human rights defenders in occupied Kashmir, for cooperating with the Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights. Internet is usually suspended in occupied Kashmir to hinder their work.
Mr. President
We request the Council to ensure that human rights defenders in occupied Kashmir cooperating with the UN and other human rights mechanisms are protected against all forms of intimidation and reprisals by India.
I thank you.
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