MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal / Courtesy: YouTube/Ministry of External Affairs

Stating that there have been great violations of human rights in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), India has once again called upon the international community to take note of what's happening in the region and hold Pakistan responsible for the atrocities meted out with the people there. 

Asked about the a group of Kashmiri -origin Americans seeking time from Antonio Guterres, the United Nations Secretary General (UNGA) to meet with the dignitary and brief him about the situation in PoK and "provide further updates" to him, India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has said that there have been "great human rights violations."

Many "Americans of Kashmiri heritage" who have been staying in New York have requested Guterres for help and wish to brief the Secretary General about the situation in PoK.

Kashmiri-origin diaspora have been raising the voices of those staying in PoK and there have been protests in the US, UK and Europe against the brutality meted out towards Kashmiris in PoK.

In fact, in the US and UK, protests against the Pakistani administration's actions in PoK started when the members of the Kashmiri diaspora based in the western nations failed to reach out to their relatives staying in PoK via phone or internet.

Several hundreds of Kashmiri natives have been actively condemning Pakistan for its actions in PoK and have been reaching out to the representatives of the UN for help.

Asked about the concerned Americans of Kashmiri heritage and their bid to reach out to the UNGA Secretary General, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Randhir Jaiswal on Aug. 11 said that in the last several months, both during elections and before that, "large-scale protests were held in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK) and public discontent was answered with bullets and blackouts...repression and oppression." 

"Many people have been killed. In fact, more than 90 people have been killed and many have been injured. This has made news across the world. There have been mass ....great violations of human rights and I think that it is time that the international community takes note of what's happening there and holds that country responsible for its atrocities," Jaiswal said.   

Earlier too, India has called upon the international community to hold Pakistan accountable for the actions of its administration in PoK. 

India had also condemned the "public protests and wanton killings" by Pakistani forces in PoK and had noted that "hollow exercises" of elections cannot hide reality. 

"Since June this year, at least 90 civilians have lost their lives in the continuing crackdown. Many more have been injured. As you have seen, the Pakistani establishment has  answered public discontent with bullets, blackouts, intimidation and repression and now seeks to manufacture legitimacy through a hollow electoral exercise. It must be held accountable and the world should see through the veneer of

Pakistan's hypocritical lecturing on human rights," the MEA spokesperson had earlier said, commenting on the situation in PoK.

India has been stating earlier too that POK is an integral part of the country and has also spoken out against the use of excessive force against peaceful civilians.

Baloch activists welcome India's "consistent position on human rights" 

With India highlighting the gross human rights violations in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) and "other parts of Pakistan," Baloch activists on Aug. 11 thanked India for encouraging the international community to raise its voice for those whose voices remain unheard.

Asked for a comment on the celebration of 'Balochistan Independence Day' by Baloch activists and representatives across the world, India's MEA on Aug. 11 said that India "keeps a watch on all the developments that take place across the world" and added that the international community should hold Pakistan accountable for the human rights violations in PoK and other parts of the country.

"...the way people had been killed there, highlights once again that Pakistan has to do a lot to guarantee human rights and that the international community should hold Pakistan accountable for the killings that have happened in the recent developments.

Asked about a specific question on Balochistan, Jaiswal said that the international community should be concerned about the human rights violations in Pakistan.

While the statement didn't specifically mention Balochistan, Baloch activists have "welcomed and deeply appreciated Indian media and India's principled and consistent position on human rights."     

  "The Republic of Balochistan welcomes and deeply appreciates Indian media for highlighting the Balochistan’s commemoration of 11 August during today’s press briefing by the Ministry of External Affairs. We also appreciate India’s principled and consistent position on human rights. His Excellency the MEA spokesperson, Mr. Randhir Jaiswal, emphasized the need for Pakistan to be held accountable for gross human rights violations in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) and other areas under its control. While Balochistan was not specifically mentioned by his excellency but we value India’s broader call for accountability and respect for human rights. The Republic of Balochistan believes that the international community now has a shared responsibility to stand up for human rights and to join the growing concern over violations reported in Balochistan, PoJK, Gilgit-Baltistan, and other regions under Pakistan’s illegal control," activist Mir Yar Baloch has said in a statement.

Baloch added that "human rights knew no borders."

"The people of Balochistan deserve dignity, freedom, justice, and the right to determine their own future. We believe that ending human rights abuses and ethnic cleansing against the Baloch and Kashmiri peoples requires decisive international action. This includes recognition of Balochistan’s independence and intervention in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) to protect the lives and fundamental rights of millions of Kashmiris who are being subjected to grave abuses by Pakistan’s military forces. We sincerely appreciate India for keeping the principles of human rights and accountability at the forefront and encourage the international community to raise its voice for those whose voices remain unheard," he wrote in a statement.

 

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