In a fax addressed to The Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion in the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) at Palais Wilson in Geneva, JKCHR Secretary General, Dr.Nazir Gilani has informed him that chief of Freedom Party in Srinagar Shabir Ahmad Shah has been placed under house arrest by the State administration and not allowed to offer his Friday prayers at the local mosque.

JKCHR communiqu says "The case represents a serious infringement of and impediment to the exercise of the right to freedom of religion and belief."

The special rapporteur was urged to examine the incident and take cognizance of the governmental action that remains incompatible with the provisions of the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief and recommend remedial measures as appropriate, so that Mr. Shah and his colleagues are not stopped from offering to Friday prayers in future.

"The matter needs to be taken up with the Government of India and the State Government of Jammu and Kashmir.

The latter is a subject of many UN Resolutions," said Dr.Gilani.