Right of Reply by India at the 35th Session of Human Rights Council (06-23 June 2017) in response to the Statement made by Pakistan under Agenda Item 3. [Geneva, 13 June 2017] Right of Reply by India at the 35th Session of Human Rights Council (06-23 June 2017) in response to..

Right of Reply by India at the 35th Session of Human Rights Council (06-23 June 2017) in response to the Statement made by Pakistan under Agenda Item 3. [Geneva, 13 June 2017]

Right of Reply by India at the 35th Session of Human Rights Council (06-23 June 2017) in response to the Statement made by Pakistan under Agenda Item 3. [Geneva, 13 June 2017]

Mr. Vice President,

The delegation of Pakistan has once again tried to misuse this august platform to pursue its political objectives. Pakistan's unsolicited and unwarranted comments pertaining to the Indian state of Jammu & Kashmir, which is an integral part of the Union of India, are factually incorrect and bear no relationship to reality.

2. Pakistan keeps referring to UN Security Council Resolutions on Jammu & Kashmir. However, it very conveniently forgets its own obligation under these resolutions to first vacate the illegal occupation of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. It has also blatantly disregarded its other commitments, be it under the 1972 Simla Agreement, the 2004 Joint Declaration foreswearing terrorism as well as the understanding between our two Prime Ministers at Ufa, Russia.

3. Mr. Vice President, the foremost challenge to stability in Kashmir is the scourge of terrorism, which receives sustenance from Pakistan and the territories under Pakistan's control. Contrary to Pakistan’s claims, and in gross violation of UN Security Council resolution 1267, the designated terrorist entities and organizations continue to carry out their activities freely in Pakistan as reported in the local print, audio-visual and social media.

4. Concrete evidence about cross-border encouragement and support for the protests in Kashmir has been handed over to Pakistan. Instead of working with a sense of purpose to address this issue, Pakistan resorts to short-sighted tactics to divert attention, as we have once again seen today.

5. Mr. Vice President, India has a robust institutional framework in place to ensure adherence to rule of law and respect for fundamental rights of the people. It includes independent judiciary, National Human Rights Commission, vibrant civil society and free and vocal media. The people of Jammu and Kashmir have chosen and reaffirmed their destiny repeatedly through India's well-established democratic processes.

6. Pakistan, on the other hand, has witnessed continuous degradation and weakening of its institutions. Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is administered by a ‘deep state’ and has become an epicenter of terrorism. Pakistan’s human rights record in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir and Balochistan is deplorable. It has had no hesitation in using air power and artillery against its own people, not once but repeatedly over the years.

7. It is high time for Pakistan to do some deep introspection. We would once again urge Pakistan to focus its energies on improving its human rights situation and dismantling the terrorism infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. This would go a long way in bringing peace and stability to the region and beyond.

Thank you.

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