UN team alleges violation of rights in Kashmir

Why is it in news?
  • Experts of the United Nations Human Rights Council said that the information blackout in Kashmir amounted to a collective punishment for the people of the region.
More in news
  • Violation of fundamental rights:
    (1) In a statement, UNHRC said that the communication lockdown and denial of fundamental rights to the Kashmiri people violated fundamental rights.
    (2) The shutdown of Internet and telecommunication networks, without justification from the government, is inconsistent with the fundamental norms of necessity and proportionality.
    (3) The blackout is a form of collective punishment for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, without even a pretext of a precipitating offence.
  • Increase in arrests: UNHRC declared that they had received information about an increase in the arrest of political figures, journalists, human rights activists, and protesters.
  • Violation of right to life: The experts alleged that live ammunition was being used on protesters in Kashmir and that amounted to the violation of the fundamental right to life.
UNHRC
  • Inter-governmental body: The Human Rights Council is an inter-governmental body within the United Nations system.
  • Responsibility:
    (1) It is responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe and for addressing situations of human rights violations and make recommendations on them.
    (2) It has the ability to discuss all thematic human rights issues and situations that require its attention throughout the year.
    (3) These issues includes freedom of association and assembly, freedom of expression, freedom of belief and religion, women's rights, LGBT rights, and the rights of racial and ethnic minorities.
  • Formation:
    (1) The UNHRC has 47 members elected by the UN General Assembly for staggered three-year terms on a regional group basis.
    The Human Rights Council replaced the former United Nations Commission on Human Rights.
  • Headquarter: The headquarters of UNHRC is in Geneva, Switzerland.
Source
The Hindu, UNHRC



Posted by Jawwad Kazi on 23rd Aug 2019
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