United Nations (TDI): Pakistan has informed a UN panel that India authorities is systematically using enforced disappearances as a tool of oppression to silent the voice of Kashmiri people in Indian Occupied Kashmir.
“While Pakistan remains vigilant in addressing cases of enforced disappearances domestically, we cannot overlook the alarming situation in conflict zones, especially in areas under foreign occupation,” Pakistani delegate Sarfraz Gohar said during an interactive Dialogue with the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances held in the UN General Assembly’s Third committee.
“For decades the Kashmiri people have endured an environment of fear and violence, where enforced disappearances have become a hallmark of the occupying forces’ repression.”
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Gohar, a first secretary in the Pakistan Mission to the UN, said torture, extrajudicial killings, and mass graves are realities in the Indian occupied Kashmir.
He quoted human rights organization and said over 8,000 individuals have disappeared adding since 5 Aug. 2019 when India annexed Kashmir, an additional 15,000 young men have been subjected to enforced disappearances.
“The existence of thousands of unmarked graves, which remain un-investigated by the occupation authorities, highlight the prevailing culture of impunity,” he told the panel.
He called for an international oversight to ensure justice for the affected families.
The delegate said that Pakistan is firmly committed to safeguarding the rights of its citizens and ensuring that no individual is subjected to enforced disappearance.
The constitution of Pakistan guarantees the right to personal liberty, which is a cornerstone of Pakistan’s legal framework. He said that Pakistan is taking concrete steps to prevent and address cases of enforced disappearances that mat surface.
Highlighting Pakistan’s efforts on this front, he said that a National Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances was established, which assists victims’ families with free legal support, and ensures access to justice saying until now more than 70% of the cases were resolved.
Pakistan values its cooperation with the UN Working Group on Enforced Disappearances and its engagement with it has led to a high rate of response to the cases referred to the government, he said.
“Nevertheless, we address each case with the seriousness it deserves, as our priority is to protect the human rights of all individuals,” he said.
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Earlier, Gabriella Citroni, Chair-Rapporteur of the Group, spoke in detail on the unspeakable suffering of victims of enforced disappearance worldwide, clarifying that the term “victim” also refers to the victims’ relatives
Enforced disappearance is still practiced globally with impunity despite its absolute prohibition, she said while highlighting the challenges in this connection including intimidation and reprisals.
She spotlighted in her annual report the transmission of 998 new cases of enforced disappearance to 37 States, including 701 under the urgent procedure to 21 States.
She highlighted concern over the escalating number of cases recorded in the context of armed conflicts, including in Ukraine, Gaza and Yemen.
She underlined the importance of accountability and the role of oversight mechanisms in preventing enforced disappearances.
