UN blasts India, Pakistan over Kashmir inaction

The UN rights office hammered India and Pakistan yesterday for failing to improve the situation in Kashmir, while renewing calls for an international probe into violations in the disputed Himalayan region.

Kashmir, ruled in part but claimed in full by both countries, has suffered decades of unrest with rebel groups fighting for independence from Indian rule or a merger of Kashmir with Pakistan, in bloodshed that has left tens of thousands dead, mostly civilians.

Last year, the Office of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights released its first-ever report on Kashmir, documenting wrongdoing by both sides and urging action to reduce long-standing tensions.

In a follow up report, the rights office said “neither India nor Pakistan have taken any concrete steps to address the numerous concerns raised.”

“In Indian-Administered Kashmir, accountability for violations committed by members of the Indian security forces remains virtually non-existent,” the report said.

The groundbreaking 2018 findings were particularly hard on India, highlighting “chronic impunity” for misconduct by troops.

Pakistan welcomed the 2018 findings even though the UN said obtaining information about Pakistan-administered Kashmir was difficult given restrictions on freedom of expression and information.

“No steps have been taken to resolve the main issues, including a number of highly problematic legal restrictions,” the rights office said Monday. It also noted that four major armed groups in Kashmir “are believed to be based on the Pakistan side of the Line of Control,” and that civil society organisations blame Pakistani security forces for a series of “enforced disappearances,” in the region.

 

UN blasts India, Pakistan over Kashmir inaction

The UN rights office hammered India and Pakistan yesterday for failing to improve the situation in Kashmir, while renewing calls for an international probe into violations in the disputed Himalayan region. Kashmir, ruled in part but claimed in full by both countries, has suffered decades of unrest with rebel groups fighting for independence from Indian rule or a merger of Kashmir with Pakistan, in bloodshed that has left tens of thousands dead, mostly civilians. Last year, the Office of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights released its first-ever report on Kashmir, documenting wrongdoing by both sides and urging action to reduce long-standing tensions. In a follow up report, the rights office said neither India nor Pakistan have taken any concrete steps to address the numerous concerns raised. In Indian-Administered Kashmir, accountability for violations committed by members of the Indian security forces remains virtually non-existent, the report said. The groundbreaking 2018 findings were particularly hard on India, highlighting chronic impunity for misconduct by troops. Pakistan welcomed the 2018 findings even though the UN said obtaining information about Pakistan-administered Kashmir was difficult given restrictions on freedom of expression and information. No steps have been taken to resolve the main issues, including a number of highly problematic legal restrictions, the rights office said Monday. It also noted that four major armed groups in Kashmir are believed to be based on the Pakistan side of the Line of Control, and that civil society organisations blame Pakistani security forces for a series of enforced disappearances, in the region.