Pakistan approaches UNHRC to probe on India's 'human rights violations'

"Burhan Wani, a 22 year old Kashmiri leader, was killed by the Indian Forces on July 8, 2016. He was immensely popular amongst the masses in the Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOK), particularly with the youth. Extensive use of social media by Burhan Wani, inviting Kashmiri youth to resist against Indian Occupation made him an icon of the resistance movement in IoK," Pakistan Prime Minister's Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz said.

 

He said following Wani's death, India imposed curfew in IoK to prevent large protests. Despite curfew, it has been reported that around 200,000 people attended, back to back 50 funerals, of Burhan Wani. 

 

"People are protesting in huge numbers since his death. The Indian occupation forces have unleashed a reign of terror on the civilians to deter them from protesting. The Indian armed forces are using live ammunition on the mobs which has caused many civilian causalities. Around 50 people have been killed and more than 3500 people injured. It is being reported that around 400 injured are in critical condition and more than 70 of the injured may have become permanently blind," Aziz noted.

 

Slamming India, Aziz alleged that, "It is a clear manifestation of State-terrorism to suppress Kashmiri's voice for the right to self determination."

 

He said the Government of Pakistan has provided and will continue to provide diplomatic, political and moral support to the people of Jammu and Kashmir for the realization of their fundamental right to self determination in accordance with the United Nations Security Council resolutions. 

 

"Every possible effort would be made to draw international attention towards Indian brutalities in the IoK and to resolve the dispute," the Pakistan Foreign Adviser said.

 

Earlier, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif issued a strongly worded statement expressing "deep shock" at the killings of innocent people and deploring the "excessive" and "unlawful" use of force against civilians. 

 

Sharif presided over a special meeting of the Federal Cabinet in Lahore on 15 July, 2016. The cabinet reviewed the situation in the IoK and "condemned the human rights violations."

 

The country observed a Black Day in order to draw attention of the international community towards the "brutalities and human rights violations being committed by the Indian forces in the IoK."

 

"In line with Cabinet's decision, I wrote letters to the UN Secretary General, President of the Security Council, OIC Secretary General, High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Foreign Ministers of the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir (Azerbaijan, Niger, Saudi Arabia and Turkey)," Sartaj Aziz said. 

 

This comes even as  the Indian government on Thursday condemned Pakistan's move to  observe Black Day on July 20 and asked the neighbouring nation to stop inciting and supporting violence and terrorism in any part of  India.

 

In a statement issued by the MEA, spokesperson Vikas Swarup said: "We have seen reports about rallies, events and statements related to Jammu & Kashmir in Pakistan and POK over the last two days. We have also noted that the events were led by UN-designated terrorists, who had in the past protested the elimination of dreaded terrorists including Osama bin Laden and Taliban leader Akhtar Mansour in Pakistan.India strongly condemns the encouragement and support which such terrorists and their activities receive from Pakistan’s state."

 

"We once again ask Pakistan to stop inciting and supporting violence and terrorism in any part of our country and refrain from its deplorable meddling in our internal affairs in any manner.The observance of 'Kashmir’s Accession to Pakistan Day' exposes Pakistan’s longing for the territory of Jammu & Kashmir. India demands that Pakistan must fulfil the obligation to vacate its illegal occupation of POK," read the statement.

 

"It must also stop misleading the international community and Kashmiris through meaningless exercises such as the so-called elections today in POK which Pakistan ironically calls ‘Azad’ (free)," he said.

 

The Indian government asked the Pakistani government to ensure full safety and security of the Indian High Commission, all its officials and their families in Pakistan.

 

"In view of the threats of marches and protests at the High Commission of India in Islamabad, we ask the Government of Pakistan to ensure full safety and security of the High Commission, all its officials and their families in Pakistan,” he said.

 

Amid violence in the Kashmir Valley over the death of militant leader Burhan Wani,Pakistan on Wednesday observed  'Black Day'.

 

Pakistan on July 10 condemned the killing of top Hizb Commander Burhan Wani in Jammu and Kashmir by Indian security forces.