India Shuts Down Internet To Prevent Mirwaiz From Addressing UN Geneva

Geneva March 18 (KMS): India on Monday shut down the internet service in parts of occupied Kashmir to prevent Kashmiri leaders, including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, from addressing a United Nations Human Rights Council sideline event via video link in Geneva.

However, APHC leader Nayeem Ahmed Khan and an academic, Sheikh Shawkat Hussain, Professor of Law at Kashmir University, succeeded in recording their messages despite the shutdown, which were delivered to representatives of international NGOs at the Geneva event. Nayeem Khan is under house arrest in Srinagar.

Palestinian activist Issa Amro and Daniela Donges from Geneva International Center of Justice (GICJ) also addressed the seminar.

The panel discussion was presided over by Sardar Amjad Yousaf Khan, Executive Director, Kashmir Institute of International Relations.

American human rights activist, Karen Parker, said the Indian laws enforced in Kashmir “violate international law.” She described her interest in occupied Kashmir since 1990, and said she has seen little improvement in the situation on the ground there in 32 years.

Palestinian activist Issa Amro said military occupation is the same and what Kashmiris go through the Palestinians go through too. We are not asking to occupy India or America, he said, but that as Kashmiris and Palestinians we just want Kashmir and Palestine back so that our peoples could live peacefully in their land. He called for closer coordination between Kashmiri and Palestinian human rights activists.

Altaf Hussain Wani questioned what the United Nations has done to end impunity. Occupation forces walk away with violations. UN should have a law that stops states from giving impunity. He said not only Indian security forces are practicing repression but Indian judiciary is helping in the enforcement of repression.

Meanwhile, demonstration outside UNHRC Geneva was held which was organised out side the UNHRC Geneva to raise the voice for the oppressed people of Jammu and Kashmir. During the demonstration it was repeated that we will continue to give reminder to international community and UNHRC to come forward to stop killing of innocent people Shmaim Shawl on the occasion said that women of Kashmir is paying high price for her right we salute them and we will continue our journey to freedom .

Shamim Shawl also met high commissioner for HR she met NGOs and told her that we are thankful for appointing special rapporteur and we hope that we can get her guide in future.