UNITED NATIONS (APP): The UN human rights experts have concern over India’s decision to end Illegally Occupied Kashmir’s (IOK) autonomy and enact new laws that could curtail the previous level of political participation of Muslim and other minorities in the country.
The statement by Fernand de Varennes, Special Rapporteur on minority issues, and Ahmed Shaheed, Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, was released after diplomats from nearly two dozen countries concluded a two-day visit to IoK.
“The loss of autonomy and the imposition of direct rule by the Government in New Delhi suggest the people of Kashmir as no longer have their own government and have lost power to legislate or amend laws in the region to ensure the protection of their rights as minorities,” the experts said.
The joint statement further stated, “The number of successful applicants for domicile certificates that appear to be from outside Jammu and Kashmir raises concerns about demographic change on a linguistic, religious and ethnic basis is already underway.”
“These legislative changes may have the potential to pave the way for people from outside the former state of Jammu and Kashmir to settle in the region, alter the demographics of the region and undermine the minorities’ ability to exercise effectively their human rights,” the experts added.
The experts have urged the Indian government to ensure that the economic, social and cultural rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir are protected, and that they are able to express their political opinions.
The new legislation overrides previous laws which granted the Kashmiri Muslim, Dogri, Gojri, Pahari, Sikh, Ladhaki and other established minorities rights to buy property, own land, and access certain state jobs, it was pointed out.
