Right of Reply by India in response to the statement made by Pakistan under Agenda Item 3 of the 39th Session of the Human Rights Council (September 10 to 28, 2018), delivered by Dr. Vishnuvardhan Reddy, Deputy Secretary[Geneva, 14th September 2018].

Thank you Mr. President,

India exercises its right of reply in response to the statement made by Pakistan under Agenda item 3.

Mr. President,

2. No amount of rhetoric from Pakistan can deny the fact that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral and inalienable part of India. The State of Jammu and Kashmir chose to join India through the signing of a totally legal and irrevocable Instrument of Accession. It is Pakistan that is in illegal and forcible occupation of a part of the Indian State of Jammu and Kashmir.

Mr. President,

3. The principles of self-determination espoused by Pakistan pose severe dangers to several countries in the world where multi-ethnic and multi-religious societies coexist. In contravention of the UN Charter, the concept cannot become an instrument to promote subversion and erode the political cohesion or territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Member states.

4. What is portrayed by Pakistani as self-determination is actually State-sponsored cross-border terrorism and the support actually means extending military, financial, logistical support to terrorism against India. Cross-border terrorism till date has killed more than 14,000 civilians and 5000 security personnel in Jammu & Kashmir alone. Despite this continued aggression against the people of J&K and the proxy war raged by Pakistan, the people of J&K have repeatedly reposed their faith in the Indian democracy.

5. In contrast, the deep state in Pakistan has denied the right to its own people for more than half of its independent history. Political dissidents and legitimate criticism in Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa face violent suppressions. Pakistan has no regret to even air-bomb its own civil population. Unabated persecution of religious minorities including Shia, Ahmadiya and Ismaili muslims, forced marriages and draconian blasphemy laws expose Pakistan’s utter disrespect for international laws and norms. This is the human rights record of Pakistan!

Mr President,

6. Pakistan keeps harping about UNSC resolutions on Kashmir conveniently forgetting that it is Pakistan’s intransigence and territorial ambition that have made the resolutions redundant. If Pakistan has any respect for truth, it should first meet its obligations and vacate the illegal occupied territories. Pakistan is also reminded of its international obligations under other UN resolutions. In blatant disregard to UNSCR 1267, Pakistan continues to mainstream a large number of UN proscribed terrorist entities and individuals and despite international outrage, it has allowed them to campaign and actively participate in the recently held elections. It not without reason that the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has put Pakistan under grey list!

Mr. President,

7. We once again ask Pakistan not to waste the time of this Council by indulging in futile political propaganda, focus on its own dismal human rights record and work constructively for a safe, stable, secure and developed South Asian Region which is free from terror and violence.

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