Right of Reply by India at the 35^th Session of Human Rights Council (06-23 June 2017) in response to the Statement made by Pakistan under Agenda Item 4. [Geneva, 15 June 2017]

Mr. Vice President,

My delegation wishes to exercise its right of reply in response to a statement made by Pakistan under this Agenda Item.

2. Pakistan continues to test the patience of this Council with its false narrative over the Indian state of Jammu & Kashmir. Pakistan has had territorial ambitions over Kashmir since 1947 that has found concrete expression in the aggression it embarked on in 1947, 1965 and 1999. As on date, Pakistan is in illegal and forcible occupation of approximately 78,000 sq kms of Indian Territory in Jammu and Kashmir.

3. The fundamental reason for disturbances in Kashmir is cross-border terrorism promoted by Pakistan. Active support since 1989 to separatist groups in Kashmir and terrorist elements from different parts of the world including from territory under Pakistan’s control has become a central element of Pakistan’s state policy. 

4. We firmly believe that a policy of zero tolerance to terrorism is as much an international obligation as it is a commitment to our own people. We urge this Council to call upon Pakistan to end cross border infiltration; dismantle the infrastructure of support to terrorism; and to stop acting as an epicentre of international terrorism.

5. Pakistan’s efforts to rake up Jammu & Kashmir in this forum for purely propagandist purposes is in contrast with the blatant abuse and violation of human rights in the Pakistan Occupied Kashmir and in other parts of Pakistan, including Balochistan that is adversely impacting the stability of the entire region. Pakistan’s continued mistreatment of large parts of its own population has created a cauldron of tumult that has begun to jeopardize the safety and security of its neighbouring countries.

6. The people of Balochistan, amongst other provinces, have been waging for decades a bitter and brave struggle against their daily abuse and torture. Religious and sectarian minorities such as Hindus, Christians, Sunnis, Ahmadiyas, Ismailis and others continue to face discrimination, persecution and targeted attacks in Pakistan. Places of worship belonging to minorities have been destroyed and vandalised. Blasphemy laws remain in force and are disproportionately used against religious minorities.

7.Various international organizations have documented how enforced disappearances continue with impunity, particularly in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh where members of the Muttahida Quami Movement are routinely abducted and unlawfully killed. More than a million people remain displaced as a result of the current and past armed conflicts in the northwest of Pakistan.

8. Given this state of affairs, Pakistan will be well-advised to focus its energies on setting its own house in order and acting against the perpetrators of terrorist attacks on its neighbours instead of ritually raking up alleged human rights violations elsewhere. We, once again, ask Pakistan to stop inciting and supporting violence and terrorism in any part of India and refrain from meddling in our internal affairs in any manner. We also call upon the Council to urge Pakistan to fulfil its obligation to vacate illegal occupation of a part of the Indian state of Jammu & Kashmir.

I, thank you.

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