Srinagar: Chairman Hurriyat Conference (G) Syed Ali Shah Geelani Monday said international human rights groups should not confine their role to expressing concern over human rights violations in Kashmir but help Kashmiris achieve their “right to self determination.â€
“Denial of right to self determination to a people is the worst kind of human rights violation and Amnesty International and other international human rights groups should help Kashmiris achieve this right,†Geelani said while interacting with a two-member Amnesty International delegation, Saptarshi Mandal and Sahana Basavapatna that called on him at his Hyderpora residence today.
Geelani said the Indian troops were involved in “gross human rights violations†in Kashmir but were able to get away because of the immunity enjoyed by them under “black laws like Disturbed Areas Act (DAA) and Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).â€
“India has enforced the silence of graveyard in Kashmir and a large number of Kashmiris including students have been put behind the bars in the name of preventive custody . Armed forces personnel found guilty of murder and rape, crimes which ought to have been punished with death punishment or life term, have been left off the hook with suspension or dismissal from service all because of black laws like DAA and AFSPA,†he said.
Geelani said New Delhi was trying to mislead the international community by projecting the freedom struggle of Kashmiris as a communal movement.
“We are not demanding right to self determination just for Muslims but for the entire people of Jammu and Kashmir. We have reiterated time and again that the any outcome of plebiscite would be acceptable to us,†he said.
Terming “ Indian occupation†as the root cause of all sufferings of Kashmiris, Geelani said Amnesty International should send a team to investigate unmarked graves and enforced disappearances in Kashmir and also play role in bringing to book members of the Indian armed forces “involved in war crimes in Kashmir.â€
