UN experts warn strict action if India found to be violating human rights in IoK

Expressing their concern at the current situation in Indian occupied Kashmir (IOK), the United Nation (UN) human rights experts have warned Indian government that if the reports suggesting that Indian forces were raiding houses and arresting young people is true after thorough investigation, then those found responsible will be held accountable.

The UN experts have urged the Government of India to end the crackdown on freedom of expression, access to information and peaceful protests imposed in IoK. Voicing their concern, the UN experts said that the shutdown of the internet and telecommunication networks in IoK, without justification from the government, 'are inconsistent with the fundamental norms of necessity and proportionality'. "The blackout is a form of collective punishment of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, without even a pretext of a precipitating offence,” the experts further said.

Independent @UN experts urge #India to end communications shutdown in #Kashmir.

“The shutdown of the internet & telecommunication networks, without the Government justification, are inconsistent with the fundamental norms of necessity & proportionality."https://t.co/BBx9zmBGQG pic.twitter.com/zq9yIZfOoH

— UN Geneva (@UNGeneva) August 22, 2019

Referring to India's deployment of thousand of forces in IoK, the human rights experts reminded the country that that the restrictions imposed by the Indian Government are intrinsically disproportionate, because 'they preclude considerations of the specific circumstances of each proposed assembly'.

The UN experts have also warned the Indian government that if the reports suggesting that Indian forces were raiding houses and arresting young people, those found responsible will be held accountable. “Such detentions could constitute serious human rights violations,” the experts added.

Taking notice of 'excessive use of force against protesters, including the use of live ammunition' the UN expressed their concern. “India has the responsibility to use the minimum force necessary when policing protests.This means that the use of deadly force is a measure permissible only as last resort and to protect life,” they said.