India Defies International Laws By Razing Muslims' Houses.

ISLAMABAD -- Amid a spate of anti-Muslim riots, the Indian government has allowed mobs and authorities to raze Muslims' houses in violation of the international rules and basic human rights.

The so-called punitive house demolitions in India are 'administratively approved' demolitions without proper court proceedings, forced eviction of innocent people from their homes, and destruction of their private property as collective punishment for the alleged 'crimes' of others.

The so-called 'punitive demolition' grossly violates Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR): everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care.

Moreover, Article 11.1 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR): everyone has the right to an adequate standard of living for himself and his family, including adequate food, clothing and housing, and to the continuous improvement of living conditions. Countries are under an obligation to take appropriate steps to ensure the realisation of these rights such as the right to adequate housing.

Article 17(2) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR): no one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.

Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights: right to respect for private and family life, home and correspondence.

Article 17 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR): everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others and that no one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.

Article 16 of the Convention Against Torture: prohibits purely punitive demolitions. Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR): prohibits torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

Article 11 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR): everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defence.

Article 14(2) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR): right to presumption of innocence until proven guilty.

Article 43 of The Hague Regulations: the occupying force is obliged to maintain the status quo ante bellum of the territory.

Everyone has constitutional and basic right to have a standard of living

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