Pakistan's human rights violations brought into light at UN

Geneva [Switzerland]: Speaking at the 37th United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) session, Dušan Vejinovic, a Senior Research Analyst at the European Foundation for South-Asian Studies brought into focus the numerous human rights violations by Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir.

"Contrary to the country's diplomatic rhetoric, it is Pakistan which has denied the people of Jammu and Kashmir their fundamental human rights," he said.

"Moreover, it is now aspiring to become a broker of Jammu and Kashmir, by negotiating the sale of Gilgit-Baltistan to Beijing, in return for stacks of Chinese Yuan," he added.

"While Pakistan manifests itself as a self-styled advocate of the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, the factual situation is, that it remains an illegal occupier of Jammu and Kashmir, which has deprived the people of their political and civil liberties."

Urging the UN to take appropriate actions against Pakistan, he said "Why is Pakistan allowed to infringe international law and make a mockery of this august institution? The United Nations is obliged to act.

Not only to ensure peace in South Asia, but more importantly, to maintain its own credibility and reinforce its authority."

The United Nations Resolutions had directed Pakistan to withdraw its troops from the state of Jammu and Kashmir on August 13, 1948. Vejinovic stated he was perplexed by Pakistan's non-compliance to this legal binding for more than 70 years.

Jammu and Kashmir has been an area of contention for both India and Pakistan ever since the nations were formed in 1947 with three battles having been fought between the two neighbours over it.