UN rights experts urge India to end
communications shutdown in Kashmir
GENEVA (22 August 2019) – UN human
rights experts* today called on the Government of India to end the crackdown on
freedom of expression, access to information and peaceful protests imposed in
Indian-Administered Kashmir this month.
The experts expressed concern that
the measures, imposed after the Indian Parliament revoked the
Constitutionally-mandated status of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, would
exacerbate tensions in the region.
Reports have described a near total
communications blackout in Jammu and Kashmir since the evening of 4 August,
with internet access, mobile phone networks, and cable and Kashmiri television
channels cut off.
“The shutdown of the internet and
telecommunication networks, without justification from the Government, are
inconsistent with the fundamental norms of necessity and proportionality,” said
the experts. “The blackout is a form of collective punishment of the people of
Jammu and Kashmir, without even a pretext of a precipitating offence.”
The Government has also imposed a
curfew across Jammu and Kashmir, bringing in massive numbers of troops to
enforce restrictions on the freedom of movement and of peaceful assembly,
particularly in the Kashmir Valley. “We remind the Indian authorities that the
restrictions imposed by the Indian Government are intrinsically
disproportionate, because they preclude considerations of the specific
circumstances of each proposed assembly,” said the experts.
At the same time, information
received suggests that there has been an increase in the arrest of political
figures, journalists, human rights defenders, protesters and others.
The experts said they were deeply
concerned by reports that security forces were conducting night raids on
private homes leading to the arrests of young people. “Such detentions could
constitute serious human rights violations,” the experts said. “The allegations
must be thoroughly investigated by the authorities, and, if confirmed, those
responsible must be held accountable.
“We are gravely concerned about
allegations that the whereabouts of some of those detained is not known as well
as the general heightened risk of enforced disappearances, which may
proliferate against the backdrop of mass arrests and restricted access to the
internet and other communications networks,” added the experts.
They also expressed serious concern
about the use of excessive force against protesters, including the use of live
ammunition, which could amount to violations of the right to life. “India has
the responsibility to use the minimum force necessary when policing protests,”
the experts said. ”This means that the use of deadly force is a measure
permissible only as last resort and to protect life.”
ENDS
(*)The UN experts: Mr. David Kaye (USA), Special Rapporteur onthe promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression;
Mr. Michel Forst (France), Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rightsdefenders; Mr. Bernard Duhaime, Chair-Rapporteur, Working Group on Enforced orInvoluntary Disappearances; Mr. Clement Nyaletsossi Voule, Special Rapporteuron the right to peaceful assembly and association; Ms Agnes Callamard, SpecialRapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions.
The Special Rapporteurs and Working
Groups are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights
Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN
Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council’s independent
fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country
situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures
experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a
salary for their work. They are independent from any government or organization
and serve in their individual capacity.
UN Human Rights, Country Page —
India
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Rights – Media Unit (+41 22 917 9383 / jlaurence@ohchr.org)
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