Legal fraternity urged to set up HR cell for defending Kashmiris

Islamabad

Legal fraternity of Azad Jammu and Kashmir has been asked to set up a human rights cell and start incrementing the constituency of national and international efforts of exposing the atrocities committed by Indian forces against the people of Jammu and Kashmir who are opposed to and unwilling to live under Indian rule, says a press release.

JKCHR President Dr. Syed Nazir Gilani invited by the Mirpur Bar Association to address it on Kashmir issue and the latest situation of human rights, said that Mirpur Bar holds a central place on account being the biggest and prosperous bar association of Kashmir. It has produced lawyers and judges of very high repute in its history and it is high time that it stands out in the defence of human rights and in joining all efforts made at the national and international level in providing a reliable input to advance the right of self-determination of the people of Kashmir.

Answering a question that India did not allow Red Cross and UN to enter the state to provide an on spot humanitarian aid and make an on spot investigation of human rights abuses, Dr. Nazir Gilani said that it was an important area where lawyers could have played an important role in denting the Indian intransigence. He said that the cease fire is misconstrued and the perpetuation of this ignorance has helped Indian occupation.

JKCHR President explained that the cease fire was brokered by the United Nation in 1949 between the armies of India and Pakistan. There is no bar on the free travel of the people. In fact the UN resolution of 21 April 1948 guarantees the right to travel as lawful entry and exit of the people of Kashmir. In addition to the right to travel these resolutions have guaranteed other rights, in particular freedom of association, freedom of expression, freedom from any victimisation and other rights are specifically mentioned. The guarantee of human rights is more elaborate in the UN resolutions on Kashmir than the human rights slated in the interim Act 1974.

It is our duty to challenge every area of Indian occupation and provide the international community a reliable narrative on the basics of Kashmir case. Indian army has outlived its duration in Kashmir and is an occupation army. We should challenge its authority and expose the Indian rule. Indian forces are at war with the people and are frustrating the UN mechanism finalised for a UN supervised referendum.

Dr. Nazir Gilani has said that the 12 days curfew of Ruler of Kashmir in 1931 caused a stir in British India and Muslims bombarded the Viceroy with thousands of protest telegrams. Unfortunately the reaction to 127 days curfew imposed by Indian forces after killing Burhan Wani in July 2016 was not encouraging. We have a duty to come out in defence of a people kept in bondage by the use of brute force. Bar President highlighted the work done by JKCHR and commended the efforts of its President, the guest.

JKCHR president was received by the President of Mirpur Bar Shabir Shareef Advocate, ex chief justice High Court Justice Abdul Majid Mallick, Shaukat Majid Mallick Advocate and members of the Bar. Justice retired Majid Mallick also spoke on the occasion and JKCHR President answered questions from the Bar members in attendance. JKCHR President thanked the President of the Bar for his hospitality.