Karachi, The All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) has vehemently condemned the frequent repressive measures and the illegal ban imposed on Hurriyat parties by Indian authorities in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). These actions are seen as attempts to suppress the legitimate demand of Kashmiris for their right to self-determination, a right recognized by the United Nations Security Council.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the APHC spokesman, in a statement issued in Srinagar, criticized the Indian government’s recent move to ban Masarrat Aalam Butt’s Muslim League in IIOJK. The spokesman stated that such actions, including the attachment of properties linked to these parties, will not deter the Kashmiri people from their demand for self-determination. He highlighted that this is just the latest in a series of similar bans, citing previous prohibitions on other prominent parties and leaders in the region.
The statement mentioned the deteriorating health conditions of detainees, including Hurriyat leaders, youth, and activists, due to the denial of basic legal rights and medical treatment. The spokesman also cited the deaths of numerous political prisoners in custody, including high-profile names such as Muhammad Maqbool Butt and Muhammad Afzal Guru.
The APHC urged international human rights organizations, including the United Nations Human Rights Council, to take notice of the condition of illegally detained Hurriyat leaders and activists.
APHC leaders and their affiliates across various constituencies strongly condemned the ban on the Jammu and Kashmir Muslim League. They appealed to the United Nations and the international community to play a role in the peaceful settlement of the Kashmir dispute. They argued that the ban on political parties and the seizure of the APHC headquarters in Srinagar earlier this year demonstrate the Indian government’s frustration and its inability to stifle the Kashmiri struggle for freedom.
Additionally, APHC leader Mohammed Yousuf Naqash denounced the ban on the Muslim League as part of Indian Prime Minister Modi’s repressive measures to force Kashmiri submission to Indian control. APHC-AJK leaders, including Ghulam Muhammad Safi, Muhammad Farooq Rehmani, and Mushtaq Ahmed Butt, echoed these sentiments, reiterating the Kashmiris’ determination to oppose these actions. They called on the United Nations to address the BJP regime’s undemocratic and inhuman practices against human rights and fundamental freedoms in occupied Kashmir.
The APHC’s statements and the response from its leaders highlight the ongoing conflict and the deepening tensions in the region, underscoring the continued struggle for political and civil rights in IIOJK.