Karachi, Mehmood Ahmed Saghar, the Convener of All Parties Hurriyat Conference Azad Jammu and Kashmir (APHC-AJK) chapter, has urgently appealed to United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, drawing his attention to the severe human rights situation and political crisis in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

According to Kashmir Media Service, in a letter to the UN chief, Saghar expressed deep concern over the ongoing suffering of Kashmiris under India’s military occupation. He accused the Narendra Modi-led Indian government of employing oppressive tactics to suppress the Kashmiri people’s legitimate political aspirations and human rights. Saghar highlighted the alarming human rights violations, including violence, bloodshed, and abuse of power, which have escalated in the region over the past 35 years, resulting in nearly a hundred thousand lives lost.

Saghar condemned the Indian government’s systematic suppression of dissent, citing arbitrary arrests, detentions, and the use of draconian laws like the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Public Safety Act (PSA) against those demanding their right to self-determination. He described a regime of intimidation and silencing tactics against the local media, journalists, and human rights activists, which has effectively stifled reporting on the plight of Kashmiris and rights violations in the region.

The APHC-AJK Convener criticized India’s policy of misleading the international community about the situation in Kashmir and urged the UN to hold India accountable for its actions. He underscored that India’s denial of the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination and refusal to implement UN Security Council resolutions are the root causes of the ongoing human rights crisis in the region.

Saghar called on the UN to reassess the situation in Kashmir, considering reports and communications by Special Rapporteurs and leading human rights organizations, which he views as indictments against the Indian government. He emphasized the need for the UN to take decisive action to resolve the Kashmir dispute in line with the Kashmiri people’s aspirations and uphold international human rights standards.