Grave Human Rights Triggered as Detained Veteran Kashmiri Leaders Dies

In 2019, the special status of Jammu and Kashmir was revocated by striking down Article 370. Even after this move, the clashes between the Kashmiris and security forces did not come to a standstill. The people of Kashmir believe that their human rights are grossly violated due to the Government’s oppressive administration. Informal curfews are imposed, and the death count increases. This has led to several network and internet service shutdowns.On September 1st 2021, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, 91 years old, under house arrest, passed away from a prolonged illness at his home in Srinagar. He was a member of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC), a coalition of several pro-freedom parties and groups in J&K. He stood for the right of self-determination of the people of Kashmir under the auspices of the United Nations. Indian Government had imprisoned him several times due to his staunch belief despite massive support.Geelani’s funeral was held under the huge presence of police and military forces in the dead of night, and all the routes to his house were blocked. The family alleged that the leader was not allowed a proper ancestral burial in Srinagar.This evoked the serious human rights violations by the FIDH, FORUM-ASIA and OMCT, condemning the Indian Government authorities in Kashmir followed his death under house arrest in September 2021.On September 5th, an FIR was filed against an unknown family member of the late leader under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). The member was allegedly accused of shouting anti-India slogans and for draping the deceased in a Pakistani flag.This violated the family’s human rights and the people of the Kashmir valley as the authorities had shut down phone networks and internet services. The broadband services were restored soon, in the evening of September 3rd, while mobile internet remained shut in most districts until September 6th.The people of Kashmir have been mistreated due to the imposition of frequent communication blockades time and again since August 2019. This was termed as “collective punishment” by the United Nations Human Rights experts. Although the authorities declared no formal or official curfew, the Freedom of Movement and Peaceful Assembly set blanket restrictions in motion. A crowd of 300 people assembled in Nawabazar were attacked with tear gas to disperse them.