Second Right of Reply by India in response to the Statement made by Pakistan at the 38^th Session of the Human Rights Council (18 June to 06 July, 2018) on Agenda Item 4, delivered by Ms Mini Devi Kumam, Second Secretary [27 June 2018, Geneva] 

Mr. President,

India would like to exercise its second right of reply to Pakistan’s statement.

2. We have already rejected the OHCHR report as it is fallacious, tendentious and motivated piece of disinformation. What is portrayed by Pakistan as self determination is actually a state sponsored cross border terrorism. The entire State of Jammu and Kashmir, including the so called “Azad Jammu and Kashmir” and “Gilgit-Baltistan”, is an integral part of India. An independent judiciary, national and state human rights commissions, free and vibrant media and an active civil society are the natural safeguards to over 1250 million citizens of the world’s largest democracy.

3. The real problem in the State of Jammu and Kashmir is terrorism, which has constantly received sustenance from Pakistan and territories under its control. Having diverted billions of dollars in international military and development aid towards creating a dangerous infrastructure of terror on its own territory, Pakistan is now speaking of its achievements. 

4. We urge the Council to call on Pakistan to end cross border infiltration; to dismantle special terrorist zones, safe havens and sanctuaries, to take verifiable actions on terror financing; to provide freedom to the people of Pakistan occupied Kashmir by ending its illegal and forcible occupation; to end forced conversions and marriages of minorities; to stop targeting political dissidents and legitimate criticism in Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; to stop torture, enforced disappearances and unlawful killing; including that of journalists and activists by its security agencies, to stop sectarian violence, systemic persecution and attacks on Muslim minorities, such as Shias, Ahmadiyas, Ismailia and Hazaras.

Thank you.

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