India hits out at Pakistan; raises Balochistan, PoK rights violations at UN

During the 33rd Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, India said the main reason behind disturbances in Kashmir is Pakistan-sponsored terrorism that stems from Islamabad’s territorial ambitions.

Pakistan’s dismal track record is well known and many countries have repeatedly called upon Pakistan to end cross-border infiltration and dismantle the terrorism infrastructure, Ajit Kumar, India’s ambassador and permanent representative at the UN in Geneva, said.

India’s credentials as a peaceful, democratic, pluralistic society that is deeply committed to the welfare of its people are well established but Pakistan is characterised by authoritarianism, absence of democratic norms and widespread human rights violations across the country including Balochistan, he said.

Resource-rich Balochistan, which supplies much of the natural gas to textile industry in Pakistan’s Punjab, has been battling waves of insurgency by Baloch nationalists since 1948.

Pakistani forces have been accused of using excessive force in Balochistan and PoK. In his Independence Day speech this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned the troubled regions, a move that struck a chord with Baloch nationalists.

The mention of the regions is in line with the government’s recent decision to raise rights violations to hit back at Pakistan for allegedly stoking unrest in the Valley.

“The fundamental reason for disturbances in Kashmir is the cross-border terrorism sponsored by Pakistan which has provided active support since 1989 to separatist groups and terrorist elements including those operating from the territory under Pakistan’s control.

“Pakistan has once again sought to mask its territorial ambitions and use of terrorism as a state policy under the garb of concern for human rights.

“J-K is an integral part of India and will always remain so. We reject attempts by Pakistan to denigrate the democratic choice that has been regularly exercised by the people of J-K,” Kumar said.

In a no-holds-barred offensive, he said while advocating restraint to others, Pakistan has no hesitation in using air power against its own people.

“Pakistan also continues to provide sanctuary to UN- designated terrorists. It was, therefore, no surprise that Pakistan failed to convince the international community to secure the membership of the Human Rights Council last year.”

India strongly rejects Pakistan’s continued misuse of the Council to make tendentious references about internal matters pertaining to the Indian state of J-K, the ambassador said.

“This stems from Pakistan’s territorial ambitions over Kashmir that has found concrete expression in repeated armed aggressions. Pakistan continues to be in illegal occupation of a large part of territory in J-K,” he said.

Hindu Sena member stage a protest to support Balochistan at Jantar-Mantar in New Delhi. (Ravi Choudhary/HT PHOTO)

Kashmir Valley has been on the boil since the killing of Hizbul-Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8. His death sparked violent protests that killed 80 people and wounded 10,000 in the two-month-long protests.

Pakistani leaders have criticised India over the Kashmir unrest. The move drew angry reaction from India, which accused Islamabad of interfering in New Delhi’s internal affairs and backing terrorism.

Kumar said the high number of causalities sustained by Indian security forces is a reflection of the tremendous restraint they have displayed in difficult circumstances in the Valley.

He asserted that India has a robust institutional framework to ensure adherence to rule of law and respect for fundamental rights of the people in J-K, including independent judiciary, National Human Rights Commission, vibrant civil society and free and vocal media.

In contrast, the people of Pakistan as well as Pakistan-occupied Kashmir have become victims of sectarian conflict, terrorism and extreme economic hardship due to Pakistan’s authoritarian and discriminatory policies in complete disregard of human rights, he added.

Emphasising that terrorism was the grossest violation of human rights and should be so acknowledged by any impartial observer.

“The heart of the matter is that we are dealing with a state that regards the use of terrorism as a legitimate instrument of statecraft.

“The world watches with concern as the consequences of Pakistan’s actions have spread beyond its immediate neighbour. All of us stand prepared to help, if only the creators of this monster wake up to the dangers of what they have done to themselves,” the Indian envoy added.

“The institutions of governance in Pakistan have corroded to such an extent that it has become a hub for the global export of terror,” he said.

Pakistan should focus its energies on improving human rights situation within Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, Kumar said.

It must also take action against the perpetrators of terrorist attacks on its neighbours who are roaming freely in Pakistan with impunity, so that terrorism emanating from Pakistan - the gravest risk for peace and stability of the region - could be addressed effectively, he added.