Right of Reply by India under Agenda Item 3 for ID with SR on Torture and ID with SR on Disabilities at the 43rd Session of the Human Rights Council (24 February – 20 March 2020) delivered by Mr. S. Senthil Kumar, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India (Geneva, 28 February 2020) Right of Reply by India under Agenda Item 3 for ID with SR on Torture and ID with SR on Disabilities..

Right of Reply by India under Agenda Item 3 for ID with SR on Torture and ID with SR on Disabilities at the 43rd Session of the Human Rights Council

(24 February – 20 March 2020) delivered by Mr. S. Senthil Kumar,

First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India (Geneva, 28 February 2020) 

 

Thank you Mr. Vice-President,

My delegation wishes to exercise its right of reply to the statements made by Pakistan under IDs with SR on torture and SR on disabilities.

Regrettably, the Pakistani delegate has once again taken the floor in an attempt to mislead this Council. We reject all the untenable and unsolicited remarks by Pakistan against my country.

The international community knows how law enforcing agencies and security personnel of Pakistan carries out routine use of torture with impunity against political dissidents, activists, journalists, human rights defenders in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Sindh, Baluchistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces. Excessive use of force is a regular phenomenon in Pakistan and is worse in Gilgit Baltistan. Husnain Kamal, DJ Mathai and Qadim Qasmi are some of them to name a few. It’s well documented that a large number of Kashmiri detainees are kept in secret detention facilities in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Territories for several years and they have been severely tortured with all means by the security forces.

Mr. Vice-President,

Despite these reports by the international organizations, persons in Pakistan and Pakistan occupied territories can’t expect justice and no route to recourse is available for relief. The ‘deep state’ in Pakistan is accountable to none and a tight control over any form of freedom is the hallmark of Pakistan’s policy particularly in Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

Acts of terrorism by Pakistan create disabilities. Pakistan’s record of harassment and execution of minorities, through misuse of blasphemy law and forced conversions and marriages of women and girls, including persons with disabilities are well known.

Pakistan’s doublespeak and hypocrisy does not deserve the time of this august forum and its distinguished members.

I thank you Mr Vice President.

*****