Permanent Representative of the World Muslim Congress (WMC) Altaf Hussain Wani has called for an independent international investigation into the alleged use of private military groups and advanced surveillance technologies by India in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
Wani calls for UN probe into surveillance in Kashmir
ISLAMABAD, Sep 16 (APP):Permanent Representative of the World Muslim Congress (WMC) Altaf Hussain Wani has called for an independent international investigation into the alleged use of private military groups and advanced surveillance technologies by India in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
Speaking during an interactive dialogue on Report A/HRC/63/31 at the 63rd session of the UN Human Rights Council, Wani welcomed the UN Working Group’s report on the use of mercenaries and raised concerns over the growing use of advanced technologies by private military and security companies.
According to a press release received here on Wednesday, Wani expressed concern over reports of private militias and mercenary groups being involved in operations against civilians in IIOJK.
He said the involvement of non-state actors could make it harder to hold those responsible for alleged human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances, accountable.
He also highlighted reports of AI-based monitoring, biometric tracking and digital surveillance in Kashmir, saying such technologies were being used for widespread monitoring of civilians and to restrict political dissent and target human rights defenders.
Wani said surveillance in Kashmir should not be viewed only as a security matter, as its use against civilians could affect privacy, freedom of expression, freedom of movement and other fundamental rights.
He urged the UN Human Rights Council and relevant UN mechanisms to conduct an independent and impartial investigation into the alleged role of private militias and the use of advanced surveillance technologies in IIOJK.
Wani also called for international pressure on India to prevent the misuse of private entities and ensure that surveillance technologies do not infringe upon the fundamental rights of civilians.
He further said the Kashmiri people should not be denied their right to self-determination through militarisation, surveillance or other forms of coercive control, and called for stronger international oversight of the human rights situation in the region.
