Islamabad, Muhammad Farooq Rehmani, a senior leader of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference-Azad Jammu and Kashmir (APHC-AJK), has issued a plea to human rights groups and international bodies concerning the harsh conditions endured by political prisoners in Indian-controlled Jammu and Kashmir.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Rehmani’s concerns were detailed in a letter to various human rights entities and legal experts, in which he described the significant mental and physical suffering of Kashmiri detainees under the Indian government’s policies. He noted that the cost of incarceration has been unfairly transferred to the prisoners and their families, compounding their hardships with financial burdens.
Rehmani criticized the Indian government’s isolation of the region, which has barred independent observers from evaluating the conditions within its prisons. He urged United Nations authorities to engage and pressure India to release these political prisoners and dismiss unfounded accusations against them.
Highlighting the potential fatal consequences of continued negligence, Rehmani emphasized the urgency of international intervention to prevent further loss of life among the detainees, many of whom have already seen their familial bonds irreversibly damaged due to prolonged separations.
In closing, he underscored the enduring spirit of the Kashmiri detainees and their families who continue to fight for self-determination despite severe adversities. Rehmani called on the UN to reassess India’s adherence to international standards and to recognize the ongoing violations against the Kashmiri people.