INTERNATIONAL REACTIONS ON KASHMIR SITUATION
UN CHIEF ASKS COUNTRIES IN CONFLICTS TO CEASEFIRE
António Manuel de Oliveira Guterres Secretary-General of the United Nations
The UN chief said, in a virtual press conference, “We know the pandemic is having profound social, economic and political consequences, including relating to international peace and security. Religious leaders – including Pope Francis – have added their moral voice in support of a global ceasefire, as have citizens through grassroots mobilization online. A spokesman to UN Secretary General, Stephane Dujarric said that Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ recent appeal for a ceasefire in world’s conflict zones also applies to the Line of Control in the disputed state of Jammu and Kashmir.”
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/uk-mps-kashmir-is-an-international-issue/1865246
UK MPS: ‘KASHMIR IS AN INTERNATIONAL ISSUE’
Debbie Abrahams, British parliamentarian and chairperson of the All Parties Kashmir Parliamentary Group (APKPG) in Parliament
“I wanted to visit Indian-administered Kashmir to get firsthand experience on the ground but the Indian government denied her permission. I regret that. The seriousness of this [Kashmir] issue has really been ignored, Action is needed from all of the international community to bring all parties together.”
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/uk-mps-kashmir-is-an-international-issue/1865246
Angela Rayner Labour Party Deputy Leader, UK
“To get lasting peace in Kashmir, we have to have discussions between the Pakistani and Indian governments. My position has always been to stand up for the people of Kashmir. We [Labour Party] would continue to support that voices of Kashmiris are heard.”
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/uk-mps-kashmir-is-an-international-issue/1865246
British MP Andrew Gwynne, Chairman of Labour Friends of Kashmir
“(The) EU is keeping a close eye on Kashmir situation and we are concerned about (the) growing conflict. We acknowledge the ambitious and hectic efforts being carried out by Prime Minister Imran Khan for avoiding a humanitarian crisis in Kashmir.”
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/uk-mps-kashmir-is-an-international-issue/1865246
SPORADIC VIOLENCE IN DELHI AS DEATH TOLL HITS 32
Tony Perkins President of Family Research Council
“One of the essential duties of any responsible government is to provide protection and physical security for its citizens, regardless of faith. We urge the Indian government to take serious efforts to protect Muslims and others targeted by mob violence.”
https://www.dawn.com/news/1536968/sporadic-violence-in-delhi-as-death-toll-hits-32
Commissioner Anurima Bhargava U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom
“Commissioner voiced alarm at reports that Delhi police “have not intervened in violent attacks against Muslims. The brutal and unchecked violence growing across Delhi cannot continue. The Indian government must take swift action to ensure the safety of all of its citizens.”
https://www.dawn.com/news/1536968/sporadic-violence-in-delhi-as-death-toll-hits-32
U.S. Senators John Cornyn (Republican) and Mark Warner (Democrat)
“The two leaders of the US Senate’s proIndia caucus, Republican John Cornyn and Democrat Mark Warner, in a joint statement voiced support for the close US ties represented by Trump’s visit but added: “At the same time, we are alarmed by the recent violence in New Delhi.”
https://www.dawn.com/news/1536968/sporadic-violence-in-delhi-as-death-toll-hits-32
Pramila Jayapal U.S. Representative
“Representative Pramila Jayapal, an Indian-born left-leaning Democrat who has been outspoken in her criticism of Modi, called the developments “horrifying. Democracies should not tolerate division and discrimination, or promote laws that undermine religious freedom. The world is watching,”
https://www.dawn.com/news/1536968/sporadic-violence-in-delhi-as-death-toll-hits-32
COVID-19: PROTECTING PRISON POPULATIONS FROM INFECTIOUS CORONAVIRUS DISEASE
Meenakshi Ganguly, South Asia Director at Human Rights Watch
“An outbreak of COVID-19 in a prison could be devastating to the population there, especially an overcrowded prison where general health is already low,” she said in an interview published on the ICRC website.”
https://www.icrc.org/en/document/protecting-prison-populations-infectious-disease
INDIA: PROTESTS, ATTACKS OVER NEW CITIZENSHIP LAW
Meenakshi Ganguly, South Asia Director at Human Rights Watch
“India’s prime minister has appealed for a united fight against COVID-19, but has yet to call for unity in the fight against anti-Muslim violence and discrimination. Government policies have opened the door for mob violence and police inaction that have instilled fear among Muslims and other minority communities throughout the country. The Indian government has tried to delink the citizenship law from the citizenship verification processes, but it has failed to reassure minority communities because of contradictory, discriminatory, and hate-filled claims by BJP leaders. The government should immediately reverse policies that violate India’s international legal obligations, investigate alleged police abuses, and protect freedom of speech and assembly.”
https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/04/09/india-protests-attacks-over-new-citizenship-law
ANTI-MUSLIM PROPAGANDA IS SEEPING INTO ONLINE DISCOURSE ABOUT THE CORONAVIRUS
Claire Wardle, U.S. Director of First Draft News
“Unfortunately, what we’re seeing is coronavirus as an excuse for existing kind of racist and xenophobic tropes to be pushed out front and center.”
INDIA: GOVERNMENT MUST IMMEDIATELY STOP INTIMIDATION OF JOURNALISTS IN JAMMU AND KASHMIR
Avinash Kumar, Executive Director of Amnesty International India
“The two new First Information Reports (FIR) against journalists in Kashmir that initiate investigations against them by the police signal the authorities’ attempt to curb the right to freedom of expression. Harassment and intimidation of journalists through draconian laws such as UAPA threatens the efforts to address the COVID-19 pandemic and creates an atmosphere of fear and reprisal. In Kashmir, this has been compounded through the general lockdown, prolonged restrictions on internet speed and arbitrary detentions often without any kind of documentation, access to lawyers and recourse to justice. This severely undermines the human rights guarantees of the people of Kashmir and denies the people in India and around the world’s right to know.”
https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2020/04/
USCIRF SAYS MILLIONS OF INDIAN MUSLIMS EXPOSED TO DETENTIONS, DEPORTATIONS & STATELESSNESS DUE TO CAA
Nadine Maenza, Vice Chair USCIRF
“The Citizenship (Amendment) Act in India potentially exposes millions of Muslims to detention, deportation, and statelessness when the government completes its planned nationwide National Register of Citizens.”
STOP TARGETTING MUSLIMS DURING RAMADAN, SAYS US SECRETARY OF STATE
Mike Pompeo US Secretary Of State
“On behalf of the American people, I extend my best wishes to Muslim communities in the United States and around the world asthey mark the start of the holy month of Ramadan. We urge all governments and communities to use this time to focus on service and unity, to keep in mind the health and safety of the most vulnerable and the marginalized as we continue to fight to stop the COVID-19 crisis. Ramadan is a reminder for people of all faiths to strive for compassion, reflect on our own actions, and ensure all individuals are safe in times of hardship, Pompeo said in the released statement.”
https://deccandigest.com/stop-targetting-muslims-during-ramadan-says-us-secretary-of-state/
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