30/03/2024
Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri is addressing in the United Nations Human Rights Council's
55th Session on March 15, 2024 at Geneva.
Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development
Agenda item 3 General Debate
Intervention by Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri
Our organization is deeply concerned about the grave human rights violations in Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan, where residents are deprived of their fundamental rights, including civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights, as well as the right to development. Peaceful activists and members of civil society are targeted by state and law enforcement agencies, and extremist outfits with impunity.
The United Nations has been steadfast in its commitment to promoting and protesting people`s rights through various covenants and resolutions. However, in Pakistani Administered Azad Jammu Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, the majority of the populace has been unjustly denied these fundamental rights. It is imperative to acknowledge the prevailing challenges and address Pakistan's profound shortcomings in these criticalareas.
Since March 2023, residents have bravely voiced their grievances, exacerbated by Pakistan's economic downturn, leading to widespread displacement and hardship. The populace demands access to essential goods at subsidized rates and relief from unjust taxes on electricity bills.
Azad Kashmir is governed by the draconian AJK Interim Act of 1974, which stifles dissent and imposes loyalty oaths for employment and political participation. Similar restrictions apply in Gilgit Baltistan, where dissenters face surveillance, harassment, imprisonment, and even death. Pakistan's amendments to the AJK Act 1974 further restrict political activity, violating the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The AJK 1974 Interim serves as a stark reminder of the region's suppression and occupation. Exploitation of resources by Islamabad has fueled resentment, aggravating feelings of colonization. Pakistan's military and law enforcement agencies engage in aggressive land grabbing in Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan, occupying hills tops, tourists' resorts, disrupting lives, livelihoods, and causing irreversible environmental damage.
Freedom of movement is a fundamental right. Since 1947, the State of Jammu and Kashmir has been forcibly divided, separating families. Loved ones are unable to meet or interact. Our organization demands that Pakistan and India should issue special cards to all citizens of the State who hold State Subject Certificates, allowing them to freely interact with each other. Their feelings and grievances must be heard after the 76 years long forced division.
Therefore, CIRAC urges the UN to establish a Fact-Finding Mission to investigate human rights violations in Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan and ask Pakistan to protect the rights of the people.
Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to developmentAgenda item 3 General...