Kashmiri delegation urges for repealing  ‘draconian laws’ in IIOJK at UN rights forum

MIRPUR (AJK), Mar 6 (APP):A Kashmiri delegation attending the 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva has called for the revoking laws which granted impunity and enable human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) .

According to an official statement issued here on Friday, the delegation held separate meetings with UN special rapporteurs, UN officials and members of the diplomatic community to brief them on the situation in the occupied valley.

The delegation was led by veteran Kashmiri political figure Altaf Hussain Wani and included All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) Convener Ghulam Muhammad Safi, Shamim Shawl, Sardar Amjad Yousaf Khan and APHC General Secretary Advocate Parvez Ahmed Shah, the statement added.

The group met several UN mandate holders, including the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, the Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights, and the Special Rapporteur on the right to adequate housing, it said.

During the meetings, the delegation briefed the officials on issues related to their respective mandates and thanked them for communications previously sent to the Indian government.

They also urged to continue pressing India to repeal “draconian laws” that provide impunity and facilitate human rights violations in the region.

In separate interactions with diplomats, the delegation called on the international community to urge India to end repression and create conditions for a United Nations-supervised plebiscite in the territory, according to the statement.