Srinagar, Nearly three decades have passed since the tragic death of Jaleel Andrabi, a prominent human rights activist and lawyer in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), yet his family continues to seek justice. Andrabi’s case has become emblematic of the impunity that overshadows the region, underscoring the ongoing struggle for accountability and human rights.

According to Kashmir Media Service, on the 28th anniversary of Andrabi’s martyrdom, his arrest on March 8, 1996, by Major Avtar Singh of the Indian Army’s 35th Rashtriya Rifles and the subsequent discovery of his body in the Jhelum River weeks later, remain vivid reminders of the violence and oppression faced by those who challenge the status quo in IIOJK.

Andrabi’s dedication to documenting the human rights abuses perpetrated by Indian troops in the region made him a target. His outspoken opposition to the injustices in IIOJK and his efforts to bring international attention to the issue, notably through his participation in the 1994 Annual UN Human Rights Council convention in Geneva, ultimately led to his untimely death.

In remembrance of Andrabi, both the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, through spokesperson Adv Abdul Rashid Minhas, and the Kashmir Bar Association have paid tributes to his legacy, stressing the profound impact of his work and sacrifice on the Kashmiri liberation struggle. They have called upon the international community to apply pressure on India to facilitate a comprehensive investigation into Andrabi’s murder and to bring those responsible to justice.

Echoing this sentiment, leaders from the APHC-AJK chapter in Islamabad, including Mehmood Ahmed Saghar, Altaf Hussain Wani, and Chaudhry Shaheen Iqbal, have implored international human rights organizations and entities like the United Nations Human Rights Council, Amnesty International, and Asia Watch to acknowledge and act against the severe human rights violations by Indian forces in IIOJK.

The collective voice of Kashmiri leaders and organizations amplifies the call for justice not only for Jaleel Andrabi but for all victims of oppression in the region, highlighting the enduring spirit of resistance against tyranny and the quest for freedom and dignity.