First Right of Reply by India under Agenda Item 8 at the 41^st Session

of the Human Rights Council (24 June – 12 July 2019) delivered by

Ms. Mini Devi Kumam, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India

[Geneva, 08 July 2019]

Mr. Vice President,

India exercises its right of reply to the Pakistani propaganda against India.

2. India rejects any false and motivated narrative on the situation in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. As far as India is concerned, it is a closed chapter. The entire State of Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India. What is portrayed by Pakistan as self-determination is actually Pakistan’s military, financial, logistical support to cross border terrorism against India.

3. Pakistan’s role as a sponsor of terrorist groups, extremism and radical ideologies has been documented in numerous international organizations such as UNSC, Financial Action Task Force as well as confirmed in statements and writings by Pakistan’s own leaders. 24 Pakistan-based terror groups have been already proscribed by the UN Security Council. Serious concerns have been raised by FATF over Pakistan’s failure to complete its action plan within the stipulated datelines on terror financing warranting its black listing.

4. India’s constitutional provisions, statutory procedures, independent judiciary, human rights institutions and other well recognised and credible mechanisms safeguard constitutionally guaranteed fundamental rights to all citizens of India, including in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The people of the Indian State of Jammu and Kashmir have chosen democracy and rule of law electing successive governments representing all sections of society.

5. In contrast, the Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir is under suppression of Pakistan. The people in PoJK has been deprived of any future political, judicial and economic role through imposition of coercive legislative, administrative measures and tactics. Persecutions, harassment, close surveillance, charges of sedition, long-term imprisonments without proper trials and convictions against protestors, opposition parties, civil society activists, journalists and local residents are the norms of the day in PoJK while giving protection and impunity to the security agencies. Tight control on all freedoms and rights has been the hallmark of Pakistan’s policy in PoJK. The PoJK had only one daily newspaper due to suppression and harassment from authorities preventing dissemination of all human rights violations. No person in PoJK can be appointed to any government job, including the judiciary without confessing open loyalty to the ideology of Pakistan. The Gilgit-Baltistan Empowerment and Self-Governance Order imposes severe restrictions on freedom of expression and association.

6. With such dismal human rights record, it is wishful thinking of Pakistan that it could mislead the Council.

Thank you, Mr. Vice President.

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