Right of Reply by India under Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance at the 44th Session of the Human Rights Council (30 June – 21 July 2020) delivered by Mr. S. Senthil Kumar, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India (Geneva, 16 July 2020) Right of Reply by India under Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance at the 44th Session of the Human Rights Council (30 June – 21 July 2020) delivered by Mr. S. Senthil Kumar, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India (Geneva, 16 July 2020)

Right of Reply by India under Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance at the 44th Session of the Human Rights Council (30 June – 21 July 2020) delivered by Mr. S. Senthil Kumar, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India (Geneva, 16 July 2020)

Right of Reply by India under Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance at the 44th Session of the Human Rights Council (30 June – 21 July 2020) delivered by Mr. S. Senthil Kumar, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India (Geneva, 16 July 2020)

Madam Vice-President,

India exercises its right of reply in response to the statement made by Pakistan under this ID.

2. While the world is coming together to battle the pandemic, it is unfortunate that Pakistan, a state which sponsors cross-border terrorism, continues to use every opportunity to peddle false narratives and make baseless, malicious and egregious allegations against India and interfere in our internal affairs. ​Jammu and Kashmir has been, is and will continue to remain an integral part of India and Pakistan should cease to covet it.

3. The temporary restrictions on internet imposed in Jammu and Kashmir is solely to ensure safety of the people from Pakistani trained terrorist attacks. We have robust Constitutional framework and independent judiciary to protect the dignity and fundamental rights of every citizen. It is ironical that Pakistan dare to speak about internet access in India when Balochistan has no internet access since 2017.

Madam Vice-President,

4. India is the largest democracy in the world where all faiths receive equal treatment, as mandated by the Constitution. Members from minority communities have held high offices in India, including Presidents and Prime Ministers. Pakistan, being a theocratic State, may find it difficult to fathom India’s secular credentials.

Madam Vice-President,

5. While Pakistan conveniently blames others, it turns a blind eye to the human rights violations in Balochistan, Kyber Pakhtunkhwa and territories of Jammu and Kashmir illegally occupied by Pakistan. It is a matter of great concern that the population of religious minorities in Pakistan which was 23% in 1947 is a mere 3.7% of the total now. The reasons are not hard to find. Systemic discrimination and persecution through killings, violence, forced conversions, forced displacement have nearly annihilated religious minorities in Pakistan.

6. It has been reported that more than 50% of all persons in jail for blasphemy charges globally are in Pakistan as the so-called courts continue enforcing blasphemy laws. Incidents of systematic desecration and illegal encroachments of temples, Gurudwaras, Ahmadiyya mosques are routine matter in Pakistan. Even in the face of Covid-19, emergency ration was being denied to minority Hindu and Christians living in coastal areas of Karachi and other parts of Pakistan.

Madam Vice-President,

7. It’s time for Pakistan to self-introspect and to stop its relentless persecution against minorities and the culture hatred, for the sake of humanity.

I thank you.

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