US congressional subcommittee to hold hearing on IoK on October 22

• IoK has been in lock down since August 5.
• The hearing will focus on IoK.

Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Asia has announced that the Subcommittee will hold a hearing on 'Human Rights in South Asia' on October 22, which will focus on Indian-occupied Kashmir (IoK).

In a statement, Congressman Brad Sherman, Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Asia said that the hearing will focus on IoK where many political activists have been arrested and internet and telephone communications have been interrupted. The statement also added that the hearing will review the humanitarian situation in IoK and whether Kashmiris have adequate supplies of food, medicine and other essentials.

Sherman said that in August, he met Americans from IoK and heard stories of difficulties encountered by his constituents and others." Since then I have had several additional meetings with Kashmiri Americans. I look forward to learning more about human rights in Kashmir,” Sherman added.

"Assistant Secretary Alice Wells, who oversees all State Department policy towards South Asia, will testify. Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, Scott Busby, who overseas human rights efforts is South Asia will also testify. We have invited other State Department officials and we also expect to hear from private human rights activists on the issues,” the statement said.

As per the statement, the hearing will also focus on the Tamils of Sri Lanka, the human rights situation in Pakistan, including the Sindh Province and Muslims in Assam.

IoK has been in lock down for several weeks following the Indian government's decision to repeal Article 370 of its constitution. The article granted special status to occupied Kashmir.