Kashmir is widely described as one of the world's most militarized zones, with hundreds of thousands of Indian troops deployed in the region. An environment of constant military presence, checkpoints, and surveillance that significantly impacts daily life, human rights, and political freedoms for its residents. Photo Source: Tauseef Mustafa/APF/Getty
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Self-Determination Denial to Kashmiris is Greatest Human Rights Violation

Published

Islamabad: All Parties Hurriyat Conference-Azad Kashmir, APHC-AJK, convener Ghulam Muhammad Safi has said that India’s persistent denial of Kashmiris’ right to self-determination constitutes the most serious, systematic, and ongoing human rights violation of the modern era. He added that India’s stubborn and rigid policies remain the biggest obstacle to the just and peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute.

According to Kashmir Media Service, Safi, in a statement issued in Islamabad, stated that India has violated the fundamental human rights of Kashmiris for over seven decades to maintain its illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir. He said that Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir has effectively become the world’s largest militarized prison, with nearly one million Indian troops deployed across the territory, turning the entire region into a symbol of fear, oppression, and surveillance.

Safi condemned the frequent brutal raids on homes, markets, educational institutions, and offices; arbitrary arrests, violations of privacy, extrajudicial killings, restrictions on freedom of expression, and severe censorship of media, all of which have become part of the everyday life of Kashmiris. He said a systematic atmosphere of terror has been imposed across the occupied territory to force the people to abandon their legitimate struggle.

Addressing the conscience of the international community, Safi asked: “If human rights are truly universal, why are the Kashmiri people denied them? Do human rights change according to geography, religion, or the balance of power?”

He emphasized that the only “crime” of the Kashmiri people is demanding their right to self-determination in accordance with United Nations resolutions — a demand that has become the pretext for ongoing atrocities against them.

Safi urged the United Nations, Islamic countries, the European Union, and all human rights organizations worldwide to take practical and effective measures against India, rather than limiting themselves to statements and reports, so that Kashmiris may obtain their natural, legal, and moral right to self-determination guaranteed by the UN.

Warning the global community, he said: “If the international community remains silent, Human Rights Day will remain a mere formality, while oppression, tyranny, and violations of humanity will continue unabated.”

He concluded by reaffirming that the struggle of the Kashmiri people for freedom cannot be suppressed or ended by force, and that they will continue their fight for their right to self-determination at all costs, until the sun of justice rises.

Kashmir Media Service