Geneva: Speakers at a side event in Geneva highlighted how the ongoing Kashmir conflict has contributed to an environmental crisis in the region, citing neglect of ecological concerns amid political tensions.

According to a statement by Kashmir Media Service, the event was hosted by the International Association for the Study of Pain and Disability (IASPD) and the Kashmir Institute of International Relations (KIIR) during the 58th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council. The gathering featured international experts, environmental activists, and representatives from human rights organizations worldwide. Among the speakers were Mary Scully, a human rights activist from the United States, Raja Asim Zeb, Talha Tufail Bhatti, Catherine Cantinstine, Leon Sue, and Altaf Hussain Wani. The session was moderated by Sardar Amjad Yousuf Khan, President of IASPD and Executive Director of KIIR.

The speakers emphasized that a healthy environment is crucial for the enjoyment of other human rights. They pointed to the massive troop deployment in the environmentally sensitive region of Kashmir, particularly along the Line of Control, as a factor exacerbating issues such as rapid glacier melting, deforestation, water scarcity, and ecosystem degradation.

Kashmir, they noted, is notably vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The heavy militarization by India in the disputed territory has been linked to environmental pollution through waste disposal and fuel emissions from military operations.

Despite the presence of legal frameworks, including international humanitarian law and human rights treaties, the speakers argued that enforcement remains weak and accountability mechanisms are limited. Amjad Yousuf Khan underscored the importance of the UNHCR’s resolution recognizing the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, stating that it is essential for the realization of other human rights.