Humans without human rights in IOJ and K.

The IOJ and K has a history of bloodshed and violence. Kashmiri people at the hands of Indian security forces have been subjected to inhumane treatment comparable or even a shade higher than Apartheid South Africa and Palestine. The death toll is on the rise each year. according to a renowned Indian author Dr Happymon Jacob, 'early trends on violence in 2020 show that the levels of violence will indeed cross those of 2019.' As of 2020, over 110 Kashmiris have been martyred including women and children. Reprehensible actions, such as continuing restrictions, excruciating military crackdown, arbitrary detentions, extra-judicial killings, and incarcerations are some of the grave human rights violations being perpetrated in Kashmir. The recent action by the extremist BJP Government of revoking Article 370 is aimed at changing the demographic structure of IOJ and K thus taking the wind out of Pakistans stance in the long run.

Ministry of Information and Broadcasting conducted a seminar on 'International Day in Support of Victims of Torture in IOJ and K' on 26th June, 2020 at the Information Services Academy. The seminar was aimed at highlighting the gross violations of fundamental human rights in Kashmir, and to provide a roadmap to resolve the Kashmir Dispute.

The event was chaired by Minister of Information Mr Shibli Faraz and the panel consisted of enlightened luminaries from the Pakistani academia, activists from Pakistan and Kashmir Valley, diplomats and other highly qualified professionals. The seminar was informative and illuminating, highlighting the importance of raising the Kashmir dispute across all international forums and to provide both diplomatic and moral support to the Kashmiris living under a tyrannical and oppressive state.

After the opening remarks by the Secretary Ministry of Information, a short documentary was presented which gave the viewers an insight into the situation in Kashmir Valley. The documentary was not only informative but the graphic images of Kashmiris being beaten on the streets and interviews of Kashmiri people who had undergone extensive torture at the hands of the state had a significant impact upon the audience and people were appalled at the heinous acts of torture and violence conducted by Indian security agencies. It is important to show such documentaries to both national and international audiences in order to prevent the voice of the people of Kashmir from being subdued.

Ambassador Asif Durrani, at...