Wani gives befitting response to Indian diplomat at UNHRC with clarity, conviction on Kashmir:

English , Kashmir - آزاد جموں کشمیر , / Thursday, February 27th, 2025

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Altaf Hamid Rao.
MIRPUR ( AJK); February 27: Chairman Kashmir Institute of International Relations (KIIR), world-fame Kashmiri think tank Mr. Altaf Hussain Wani has responded to the statements made by the Indian diplomat at the UN Human Rights Council with clarity and conviction.

In a statement issued here on Thursday, February 27th, 2025, Wani said the Indian government’s approach to Kashmir has been characterized by a systematic denial of basic rights and freedoms. The suppression of dissent, arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, confiscation and demolition of properties, the use of force against peaceful protests and land grabs are not hallmarks of a democratic society. Rather, they reflect a regime that is unwilling to engage with the legitimate aspirations of the Kashmiri people, instead hell bend to impose its settler colonialism.”

“It is crucial to recognize that democracy cannot flourish in an environment where voices are silenced and where fear rules” Wani added.

Let me address the claim of “unprecedented political, social, and economic progress” in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370. This assertion is not only misleading but also ignores the harsh realities faced by the people of Kashmir. The so-called development narrative is often used as a façade to mask the brutal repression and ongoing human rights violations that the Kashmiri people endure daily. The presence of heavy military forces, frequent internet blackouts, restrictions on freedom of expression and assembly, and killing people in custodial torture are stark indicators of the true state of affairs in Indian-occupied Kashmir,” said Wani.

On Indian diplomat’s assertion to accuse Pakistan for everything happening in Indian-occupied Kashmir Wani said, it is a diversionary tactic used to deflect attention from its failures in Kashmir. The plight of the Kashmiri people cannot be reduced to geopolitical rivalries. We are not pawns in a political game; we are people with our own identities, histories, and rights. The international community must not be misled by narratives that attempt to vilify Pakistan while ignoring the genuine grievances of Kashmiris and the promises made to them by India and world leaders.

The call for development and governance in Kashmir must come from the people of Kashmir themselves. We seek the right to self-determination, the ability to shape our future, and the restoration of our dignity. The Indian state must recognize that true peace and progress cannot be achieved through military occupation and oppression. Instead, it must respect our rights, and acknowledge our aspirations. Said KIIR Chief.

In conclusion, the struggle for justice and self-determination in Kashmir is not merely a political issue; it is a matter of human rights. We will continue to raise our voices against illegal occupation and advocate for our right to live with dignity. The world must listen to the voices of the people of Indian-occupied Kashmiri people, rather than being swayed by the rhetoric of India who seek to maintain its grip on power through force and intimidation.