Geneva/Srinagar, October 29: Amid the delegation of European Union (EU) MPs visiting the Jammu and Kashmir post abrogation of Article 370, United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on Tuesday spoke again on the human right violations and expressed its concern. Along with expressing its concern, the UNHRC appealed to the Indian government to fully restore the rights that are currently being "denied" to people.
Addressing a press conference at the UN headquarters in Geneva, OHCHR spokesperson Rupert Colville said, "We are extremely concerned that the population of Indian-Administered #Kashmir continues to be deprived of a wide range of human rights and we urge the Indian authorities to unlock the situation and fully restore the rights that are currently being denied." Mehbooba Mufti on Visit of European Parliament Delegation to Jammu and Kashmir, Says 'Lose-Lose Situation' For Govt'.
Here's the tweet:
"We are extremely concerned that the population of Indian-Administered #Kashmir continues to be deprived of a wide range of human rights and we urge the Indian authorities to unlock the situation and fully restore the rights that are currently being denied," -- @UNHumanRights pic.twitter.com/GQYF6Jqroi
— UN Geneva (@UNGeneva) October 29, 2019
Meanwhile, 23 European Union MPs visited Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday in their personal capacity after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval in New Delhi. It is to be known that out of the 27 MPs, lawmakers dropped out of the Kashmir visit after facing a backlash.
Earlier, British Member of the European Union made it clear that that the EU delegation visit does not represent the European Parliament. Theresa Griffin said in a tweet, "To be absolutely clear - the group of far-right MEPs currently visiting #Kashmir are not in any way an "official" delegation. They do not speak for the European Parliament. The shutdown in Kashmir must be ended and constitutional rule of law restored." EU Delegation to Visit Jammu & Kashmir Tomorrow: Full List of Members in the European Union Panel And Who Will They be Meeting.
Here's her tweet:
To be absolutely clear - the group of far-right MEPs currently visiting #Kashmir are not in any way an "official" delegation. They do not speak for the European Parliament. The shutdown in Kashmir must be ended and constitutional rule of law restored. https://t.co/e6bVILYm8a
— Theresa Griffin MEP (@TheresaMEP) October 29, 2019
The newly carved out Union Territory is under lockdown for almost three months after the Narendra Modi government abrogated Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir on August 5. Following this, several restrictions were imposed by the administration, and all sorts of communications were suspended. Reports of human rights violation too were quashed by the government.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 29, 2019 08:20 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).