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India has expressed regret over the ‘irresponsible’ remarks by a UN body about alleged human rights abuse in Jammu and Kashmir
“We regret that the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has issued a statement on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir,” external affairs ministry spokesperson Navtej Sarna said in a statement late Thursday night.
“This is uncalled for and irresponsible; India does not need any advice in respect of the protection and promotion of the human rights of its citizens,” he said.
He was referring to a statement by the Geneva-based OHCHR expressing concerns over “recent violent protests in Indian-administered Kashmir that have reportedly led to civilian casualties as well as restrictions to the right to freedom of assembly and expression.”
The OHCHR also called on the Indian authorities, in particular security forces, to respect the right to freedom of assembly and expression, and comply with international human rights principles in controlling the demonstrators.
Reacting sharply, New Delhi pointed out that Jammu and Kashmir has been “a victim of terrorist violence for almost two decades” and the authorities have acted “within the law and with restraint” throughout this period.
“Terrorist groups have targetted innocent civilians. They have not refrained from taking women and children as hostages as in the recent incident in Jammu,” he said.
“In all their actions against terrorists, personnel of the security forces have sought to ensure that no innocent lives are lost, and for this objective have on many occasions laid down their lives,” he added.
“The Acting High Commissioner calls for thorough and independent investigations into all killings that have occurred so far,” Michele Montas, spokesperson for UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, said in New York Wednesday.
"That the Secretary-General himself does not issue a statement should not be read as a sign that he is not aware of, or concerned about, the situation," Montas added when asked why the UN Secretary-General himself has not issued a statement on the situation in Kashmir.
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