Dublin, The Ireland-based human rights organization Front Line Defenders has issued a statement expressing concern over the ongoing suppression of human rights activists and journalists in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, particularly since the revocation of the region’s special status by the Modi government.

According to Kashmir Media Service, Front Line Defenders highlighted the case of Sajad Gul, a Kashmiri journalist who remains imprisoned despite a high court order for his release. The organization’s statement detailed the legal and physical hardships faced by Gul, who has been a vocal reporter on sensitive issues in the region, including alleged fake encounters and forced demolitions.

Sajad Gul was first arrested in January 2022 after he posted a video showing a family protesting a fatal military operation in Srinagar. Although the Jammu and Kashmir High Court quashed the Public Safety Act (PSA) charges against him in November 2023 and ordered his release, Gul was not freed but instead transferred far from his home, complicating family visits and adding to the financial strain on his relatives.

The statement from Front Line Defenders also recounted the continuous judicial harassment experienced by Gul prior to his current detention. He was charged with various offenses, including rioting and assault, following his reporting on controversial government actions. In October 2021, after covering an alleged fake encounter, he was warned by police to cease his journalistic work, an intimidation tactic that included threats against his family.

Front Line Defenders has called on Indian authorities to release Sajad Gul immediately, drop all charges against him, and ensure that human rights defenders in the region can perform their duties without fear of retaliation. The organization stresses the importance of safeguarding freedom of expression and the role of journalists in maintaining transparency and accountability in conflict zones.