ICJ terms India scrapping Article 370 a ‘blow to rule of law, human rights’ in IoK

Condemning India's decision to revoke bill which grants special status to Indian occupied Kashmir (IoK), the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) said that this decision 'is a blow to the rule of law and human rights in the state and in India'.

In a statement issued by the international commission, ICJ’s Secretary General Sam Zarifi said that the Government of India (GOI) has pushed through these changes in 'contravention of domestic and international standards' with respect to the rights of people in IoK.

Zarifi further said that the legality of GOI's measures to eviscerate Article 370 will certainly be tested before the Indian judiciary. He continued that the judiciary should look closely at the serious violations of 'proper legislative and Constitutional processes'.

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"All eyes are now on the Indian Supreme Court to fulfill its functions in defense of the rights of people of Jammu and Kashmir and the Indian Constitution,” Zarifi said.

The statement also read that India has rushed through the amendments at a time when occupied Kashmir was under the direct rule of the Central Government and the state legislature was dissolved. It further said that IoK has not been consulted or agreed to the revocation of the Article 310.

"The lack of consultation with the people of Kashmir is all the more troubling because the changes pushed by the Indian Government will materially affect Kashmir’s status as India’s only Muslim-majority state, including special rights for citizens of the state to own and hold land and seek education and employment,”the statement added.

The ICJ has called on Indian government to implement in full the United Nations High Commissioner’s recommendations which includes respecting the right to self-determination of people of IoK. It also called on India to respect, protect and fulfill the human rights of people in occupied Kashmir.