By Saadia Awan / Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. / Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
AUGUST 5 marks a year since Kashmir had been in a lockdown after its autonomous status and that of Jammu—internationally recognized as a disputed territory by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions—was scrapped and illegally revoked by India.
Due to the pandemic, the world has understood the dynamics of lockdowns, as well as the pressures and anxieties of living with limited movements outside our homes to protect ourselves and our communities. Though restricted in our houses, we still exercise all forms of freedom and enjoy access to the Internet, phones and hospitals.
The Indian Illegally-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), comprising 8 million people, was placed under the control of New Delhi and is under siege, leading to total shutdown, terrorism and violence in the valley.
This was after India unilaterally revoked special provisions provided in Article 370 and 35A. The freedom of speech and expression, as well as access to newspapers, television, mobile telephones, the Internet, hospitals, police stations, courts and elected representatives have been curtailed further after August 5, 2019. Kashmiri politicians, lawyers, human-rights activists and public figures who protested publicly have been incarcerated, and their voices muffled.
India has been unsuccessful in subjugating the spirits of the Kashmiris, even after repressing them for more than 72 years. They continue to raise their voices against the mass injustices taking place against them in the hands of the Indian government and Indian forces.
The situation today in Kashmir is worse in comparison. Adding to the restriction and restraints are woes caused by the pandemic. India has embarked in an aggressive settlement project under the shroud of the coronavirus disease 2019. On March 31, its government had introduced the new domicile law. Its aim is demographic change, and at taking the land and resources from the indigenous population of IIOJK.
On May 18, domicile certificate procedures were introduced allowing Indian Hindus to settle in IIOJK, while requiring the indigenous population of Kashmir to apply for residency permits. Further disempowerment of the people of IIOJK who are already facing inhumane and illegal occupation at the hands of Indian government’s forces can be foreseen.
These new rules violate the UNSC resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir, as well as international law, especially the Fourth Geneva Convention. It has continuously violated the said resolutions for decades.
This year, various reports have been published from of the UN’s Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, chair of the European Parliament Subcommittee on Human Rights, reputable nongovernment organizations such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and by many concerned citizens all across the world, as they have raised their voices against atrocities being committed against the Kashmiris in IIOJK.
Pakistan’s position remains clear and unambiguous: The solution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute lies in the realization of the Kashmiris’ inalienable right to self-determination through a free and impartial plebiscite under the auspices of the UN. The government, leadership and people of Pakistan remain firmly committed to the cause of Kashmiris’ right of freedom.
It is high time this part of the world plays its role while it urges India to eschew crimes against Kashmiris, and for the latter realize their inalienable right to self-determination per relevant UNSC resolutions.