ISLAMABAD: Chairman of the Kashmir Institute of International Relations, Altaf Hussain Wani, has called for the formation of an international commission to investigate alleged crimes against humanity in Indian-illegally-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
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Speaking at the 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council during the Item 4 General Debate, where he represented the World Muslim Congress, Wani stressed the need for an impartial inquiry into the situation in the region.
He said it was regrettable that long-standing United Nations resolutions identifying Kashmir as a disputed territory have remained unimplemented for over seven decades. According to him, Kashmiris have been deprived of their right to decide their future.
Wani alleged that a pattern of repression persists in the region, citing enforced disappearances that have left many families in uncertainty. He also pointed to reports of mass graves containing unidentified bodies, which he described as evidence of serious human rights concerns.
Highlighting the humanitarian impact, he claimed that the use of pellet guns has caused severe injuries, including blindness, among civilians, including children. He argued that such actions indicate a broader policy rather than isolated incidents.
Addressing the economic dimension, Wani alleged that the region’s natural resources—such as rivers, forests, and minerals—are being exploited while local communities face economic hardship, describing the situation as akin to a colonial model.
He reiterated that Kashmir remains an internationally recognized dispute, emphasizing that sovereignty should not be used to justify human rights violations.
Wani also criticized the international community for what he described as a lack of meaningful response, saying that economic and political interests often take precedence over human rights concerns.
Concluding his remarks, he called on global actors to take concrete steps, warning that continued inaction could embolden further violations.
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