India must investigate rights violations: Bar association

Tribune News Service
Srinagar, May 22

Stating that India was obligated under the UN and International Covenants to conduct an investigation into allegations of human rights violations, the Kashmir Bar Association has appreciated the three Special Rapporteurs of the UN Human Rights Council for their letter to India on such violations.

The letter relates to 76 cases of torture and killings of civilians, which include 13 just in 2018. The 2018 cases included eight civilian killings, allegedly by security forces, and the rest by militants.

“Bar Association, Srinagar, appreciates the three Special Rapporteurs of UN Human Rights Council,” the Bar said in a statement. However, it condemned the Government of India for its refusal to share the report details. India has informed the UN body that it will no longer entertain any communication with the Special Rapporteurs.

The Bar stated the charter of UN and the International Covenants “obligates India to bring to an end the human rights violations in J&K and conduct a thorough, prompt and impartial investigation so that justice is provided to the victims.”