Kashmir’s Cry for Justice on Human Rights Day
On the 10th of December, 2024, Human Rights Day was observed by the whole world to commemorate the 76th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), adopted by the United Nations in 1948. After the disastrous and destructive World War II, which resulted in the death of millions of people and widespread destruction, the international community felt the urgent need for a mechanism to protect fundamental human rights. It ultimately led to the adoption of UDHR by the United Nations only three years after the war. The members of the UN pledged to protect these rights and come together against any violation of these rights anywhere in the World.
Human Rights are the rights entitled to all human beings regardless of race, color, gender, nationality, religion or any other status. Some of the fundamental Human Rights include the right to life and liberty, freedom from torture, freedom from slavery, freedom of speech and the right to self-determination. Although the UN and UDHR have undoubtedly contributed to remarkable success in the protection of Human Rights in Western countries, especially in Europe and North America, any significant progress is yet to be achieved in the majority of Third World countries. Discrimination and erosion of democratic values, economic inequality and authoritarian regimes have been major obstacles in protecting these fundamental rights in these countries.
Human Rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) is one such example. India has violated more or less every article of UDHR in IIOJK. Due to strong restrictions on documentation and reporting of human rights violations and, the presence of an Indian-controlled media, these violations often remain unnoticed by the international community. India does not allow any independent organization to enter into the occupied territories to report on the human rights situation in the region. Extra-judicial killings, enforced disappearances, rapes, harassment, nocturnal raids, and violence are widespread issues in IIOJK.
Moreover, the persecution and confinement of human rights and political activists are among the blameworthy actions of the Indian government to suppress the Kashmiri voices. Independent journalists are either forcefully disappeared or killed with unrelenting brutality. Similarly, the use of force, lockdowns and curfews along with communication blackouts are clear violations of the right to liberty and freedom of movement. On top of that, India has suppressed the right to self-determination of Kashmiris by illegally occupying and ruling the territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Especially, after the revocation of article 370 and 35A, Kashmir has seen a dramatic surge in the crimes committed by the Indian forces in the region. The principles of equality, justice, law and order are completely unknown to the natives.
These human rights breaches have repeatedly been highlighted by the United Nations and other international human rights watchdogs around the globe. The reports by these organizations, especially by the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights (OHCHR) have over and over stressed for an independent investigation of these violations. However, no substantial steps have been taken to stop these human rights abuses in the region which shows the lack of political will and commitment of these organizations.
In light of the growing economic influence of India, its emergence as a major power and the fact that numerous stakeholders are involved in the Kashmir issue, these international organizations and the global powers are hesitant to take any strict action against it. Their failure to act has emboldened India to take even more cruel steps, however, their silence would never justify these grave violations and inhumane treatment of innocent Kashmiris.
On the 76th anniversary of UDHR, we demand the United Nations to conduct an independent and unbiased investigation of the human rights violations in IIOJK, expose the Indian atrocities and let the World know about the cruel face of India. The UN, along with global powers like the United States, the United Kingdom, China and Russia should pressurize India to stop its brutalities and hold a referendum in IIOJK to give the Kashmiris their fundamental right of self-determination. Otherwise, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) would only be seen as a piece of paper with no legitimacy or credibility.
The writer, Jahangeer Khan, is an intern at YFK and a BS International Relations student at IIUI.
- Kashmir’s Cry for Justice on Human Rights Day - December 23, 2024
- Chains of Silence: The Unheard Cries of Kashmir on Human Rights Day - December 23, 2024
- A History of Injustice: The Genesis of Kashmir’s Crisis - October 28, 2024
