MUZAFFARABAD: The All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) has reiterated its demand for immediate release of all Kashmiris arrested before and after August 5 last year, when India scrapped the special status of the internationally disputed and occupied territory.

In a statement issued on Thursday and emailed to Dawn, the Srinagar-based alliance of pro-freedom organisations expressed serious concern over the condition of the detainees, including APHC leaders and activists and thousands of other Kashmiris from all walks of life, languishing in Kot Bhalwal, Ambphalla, Jodhpur, Tihar, Agra, Haryana and other jails of occupied Kashmir, particularly at a time of Covid-19 pandemic.

Terming the prisoners targets of oppression, it said that APHC chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who is also a religious leader of the disputed Himalayan region, had also been under arbitrary house arrest since August 5, 2019.

Such actions were a brazen violation of human rights of all people, particularly their right to personal liberty, guaranteed by world forums as the fundamental human right of all people across the globe, the alliance said.

It pointed out that due to the continuous detention and the worst prison conditions, physical and mental health of most of the prisoners was constantly deteriorating, which was a matter of serious concern and worry for all Kashmiris and warranted immediate attention of the international community and human rights organisations.

The alliance, however, made it clear that the policy of fear and repression could not alter the realities on the ground with regard to the peoples’ faith in their sentiments and determination to realise the same, sooner or later.

Emphasising early and peaceful settlement of the longstanding dispute, the APHC said: “The sooner it is done by directly going to the people of all regions of Jammu and Kashmir, as it existed on August 14, 1947, or through deliberations among the key stakeholders known to all, the better it will be for the people and peace of the entire region.”

Published in Dawn, September 11th, 2020

Opinion

Editorial

Counterterrorism plan
Updated 23 Nov, 2024

Counterterrorism plan

Lacunae in our counterterrorism efforts need to be plugged quickly.
Bullish stock market
23 Nov, 2024

Bullish stock market

NORMALLY, stock markets rise gradually. In recent months, however, Pakistan’s stock market has soared to one ...
Political misstep
23 Nov, 2024

Political misstep

FORMER first lady Bushra Bibi’s video address to PTI followers has triggered a firestorm. Her assertion implying...
Kurram atrocity
Updated 22 Nov, 2024

Kurram atrocity

It would be a monumental mistake for the state to continue ignoring the violence in Kurram.
Persistent grip
22 Nov, 2024

Persistent grip

An audit of polio funds at federal and provincial levels is sorely needed, with obstacles hindering eradication efforts targeted.
Green transport
22 Nov, 2024

Green transport

THE government has taken a commendable step by announcing a New Energy Vehicle policy aiming to ensure that by 2030,...